Iraq's Maliki calls for 'one army' under state control, triggering debate over PMF's future

Nouri al-Maliki, leader of the State of Law Coalition and the Coordination Framework's candidate for prime minister, has called for all weapons to be placed under state control and for Iraq to have a unified army. These remarks have restarted the debate concerning the future of the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF).

On Wednesday, Al-Maliki, in response to journalists' questions sent to his media office, said, "The Iraqi people have endured years of war and violence, and today they deserve to live in security and dignity."

Maliki asserted that genuine stability requires reducing tensions, achieving political unity, fully implementing the rule of law, and ensuring the state's exclusive control over weapons. He further emphasised that forming a single national army, representative of all segments of Iraqi society and led by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, is essential for national stability.

He indicated that stability would create a secure environment, attract investment, generate employment opportunities for youth, and facilitate reconstruction efforts throughout Iraq.

Subsequently, in a post on X, Maliki clarified that the main goal is to reinforce state authority and centralise security decision-making. He described the PMF as an official entity established by law and ratified by parliament.

Maliki emphasised that any changes to the security apparatus must follow constitutional procedures and be determined by the state, rather than by "rumours" or media reports.

He also maintained that improving the PMF's operational capability should not compromise its effectiveness.

Political implications

Maliki's statements come as he faces an American veto of a third term. Maliki previously served as Iraq's prime minister from 2006 to 2014.

During his second tenure, Iraq's army was unable to prevent the Islamic State (IS) from seizing a third of the country's territory in 2014. Iraqi security forces, including the PMF and the Iraqi Kurdistan region's Peshmerga forces, with support from the international coalition, defeated IS in 2017.

Maliki's reference to a "one army" under the commander-in-chief has prompted speculation about his position on integrating the PMF into Iraq's regular armed forces, an issue that is sensitive due to its complex political and sectarian dimensions.

Ghani al-Ghadban, an Iraqi political and security analyst, told The New Arab that Maliki's statements may be directed at both international and domestic audiences.

"Maliki's statements about merging the PMF with the armed forces to form a single army are an attempt to court the Americans," al-Ghadban said. "He is seeking to secure US approval and lift the veto against him in the race for Iraq's premiership by any means."

Al-Ghadban argued that even if Washington were to soften its position, which he described as unlikely, Maliki would continue to encounter resistance from factions within the Shia Coordination Framework and from broader segments of Iraqi society opposed to his return to office due to Maliki's legacy of the IS taking over large areas of Iraq, and the Camp Speicher massacre is still living in the memories of the Iraqis. 

He added that the PMF, as a military body approved by parliament with distinct security and intelligence functions, could not realistically be dissolved or absorbed without provoking major opposition, particularly among Shia constituencies that view the force as central to the fight against the Islamic State group.

He further said Maliki's statements about dissolving the PMF have angered Shia Muslims.

US President Trump has warned that American aid to Iraq could be withdrawn if Maliki returns to power.

"Last time Maliki was in power, the Country descended into poverty and total chaos. That should not be allowed to happen again", Trump said in a late January social media post announcing his opposition to al-Maliki. "Because of his insane policies and ideologies, if elected, the United States of America will no longer help Iraq and, if we are not there to help, Iraq has ZERO chance of Success, Prosperity, or Freedom".