Pro-Government Militias in Iraq
A Threat to Human Rights and Stability
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 4744581 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Beston Husen Arif (0000-0002-9440-5839, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2021 |
| Volume | 52 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 312-326 |
| Publication date | 2021-03-15 |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Asian Affairs (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0306-8374 • E-ISSN: 1477-1500 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/03068374.2021.1912470 |
| OpenAlex | W3157172095 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 3 |
Along with Iraqi security forces, pro-government militias, known as Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF, also "Hashd al-Shaabi" in Arabic), played a significant role in defeating ISIS. Iraq's engagement with these armed groups during the fight against ISIS empowered and legitimised them within the country. Yet, they often committed human rights violations and were involved in violent activities against the United States embassy, personnel, and military bases. However, since 2014, these groups have been acting as pro-government militias and are legally part of the Iraqi security forces. Yet, some of them have declared loyalty to Iran and act as proxy forces for Tehran. This article argues that pro-government militias in post-ISIS Iraq have negative impacts on security and human rights in the country because most of these groups were previously established based on sectarian factors and proximity to Iran. It also argues that while they are largely regarded as having had an essential role in defeating ISIS, their presence in a post-ISIS Iraq will threaten Iraq's stability
Government (linguistics · Human rights · Human security · International law · Loyalty · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Security forces · Sociology · Use of force · Law · Middle East and Rwanda Conflicts · Politics and Conflicts in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Middle East · Public Administration · Terrorism, Counterterrorism, and Political Violence
| Citations per year | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2023 - 2026 (4) |
| Highly cited | No |