Iraq is home to a complex landscape of competing Shi'ite armed factions and political parties, which have played a significant role in shaping the country's security situation. The history of these factions dates back to the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime in 2003, which led to the emergence of various political and military groups vying for power and influence.
One of the most prominent Shi'ite armed groups is the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), also known as Hashd al-Shaabi. Established in 2014 to combat the Islamic State (IS) insurgency, the PMF has evolved into a powerful paramilitary organization with close ties to Iran. While the PMF played a crucial role in defeating IS, its growing influence has raised concerns about its involvement in domestic politics and security operations.
