PMF restructuring plan prompts Iraq request for frozen funds – Shafaq News

On May 26, 2026

2026-05-26T19:14:43+00:00

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraq’s
government plans to seek the release of frozen state funds held abroad to
finance the integration of more than 800,000 armed faction members into the
Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and other security institutions, an informed
source told Shafaq News on Tuesday.

The request will cover Iraqi assets frozen in the United States and several
European countries, the source indicated, adding that approval from Washington
could facilitate the release of Iraqi funds held elsewhere.

“Integrating members of armed groups that have agreed to surrender
their weapons and join state institutions will require substantial financial
allocations due to their large numbers.” According to the source, most factions
have agreed to hand over their weapons, with the exception of Harakat Al-Nujaba
and Kataib Sayyid Al-Shuhada.

He also revealed that major changes are expected within the PMF after the
integration process is completed and its directorates are reorganized under the
institution’s approved structure. “Among the proposals under discussion is the
appointment of Ali Miah Al-Zaidi to head the PMF Commission if Abu Fadak is not approved
as a successor to Faleh al-Fayyad.”

Coordination Framework (CF) leaders continue to hold meetings aimed at
resolving the issue of armed factions operating outside the state’s official
structure, the source added.

Earlier this week, a government source told Shafaq News that some political
forces and armed groups had shown greater flexibility regarding efforts to
place all weapons under state control, adding that any handover process would
be implemented according to a specific timetable.

On May 9, an informed source pointed out that the CF and Prime Minister Ali
Al-Zaidi had agreed to establish a committee tasked with overseeing the
disarmament of armed factions following a call by Sadrist Movement leader
Muqtada Al-Sadr.

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