Although technically under the command of the Iraqi prime minister, in reality, the PMF takes its marching orders from the Iranian regime—specifically from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Quds Force. These armed factions operate with relative impunity, enjoying legal status and generous funding from the Iraqi state while serving Iran’s geopolitical interests.
What began as a temporary response to ISIS in 2014 has morphed into a deeply entrenched proxy force. Today, many of Iraq’s critical areas—both militarily and politically—are effectively under PMF control. Key cities like Mosul, Basra, and parts of Baghdad are now heavily influenced, if not dominated, by PMF-aligned commanders whose loyalty lies far beyond Iraq’s borders.
“This is not an Iraqi force. This is an Iranian shadow army, funded by Iraqi taxpayers,” said a regional security analyst. “It is perhaps the most dangerous element in Iraq’s future.”
In a paradox that raises alarm bells, the Iraqi government funds the PMF—allocating billions of dollars annually—while having little to no control over their operations. These forces have attacked U.S. troops, harassed Kurdish Peshmerga units, suppressed protests, and openly undermined Iraqi sovereignty—all while collecting salaries from the Iraqi Ministry of Defense.
Iran’s hand in the PMF is undeniable. From weapons and training to ideology and command structure, the PMF mirrors Iranian interests in both form and function. Key brigades within the force, such as Kata'ib Hezbollah and Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq, are recognized extensions of Iran’s regional agenda, often deployed in missions that align with Tehran’s goals rather than Iraq’s national security priorities.
The situation has alarmed Iraq’s neighbors and international observers. As Iran continues to wield its influence via these armed factions, Iraq is drifting away from national unity and toward sectarian and foreign-controlled fragmentation.
The implications extend beyond Iraq. The presence of these Iranian proxies threatens Israel’s northern and eastern flanks by providing Iran with a land corridor stretching from Tehran to the Mediterranean via Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon. It also endangers efforts to build lasting peace and cooperation in the region.
If the international community remains silent, Iraq risks becoming a failed state propped up by foreign-backed militias. Iran is effectively outsourcing its regional expansion to Iraq, paid for by Iraqi citizens and legitimized by official structures.
For the sake of Iraqi sovereignty, regional peace, and global stability, it is imperative that the world recognizes this threat and takes concrete steps to dismantle the Iranian military presence inside Iraq, starting with a full review of the PMF’s funding, structure, and external allegiances.
IsraelPress continues to monitor developments in Iraq and the broader Middle East as tensions escalate over Iranian influence operations across the region.
