Will PMUs participate in Battle for Mosul?

Saad al-Hadithi, a spokesman for Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, told Al-Monitor, “The PMU are regular troops that belong to the Iraqi state" and follow Abadi's command. "They will participate in the liberation of Mosul, and their movements will be in line with the military plan set by the joint Iraqi forces.”

However, the military operation to liberate Mosul is seemingly subject to a political consensus. As a compromise, the PMU might stay on the outskirts of the city but remain involved in the liberation process.

Keeping the PMU on the outskirts of cities being liberated without involving them in battle falls under a US-Iraqi agreement known as the “Tikrit rules” developed when disagreements arose between the PMU and the Iraqi field security forces after the PMU entered Sunni areas it was not allowed to enter. Those rules are designed to prevent sectarian fighting and human rights violations.

Iraqi military strategist Hisham al-Hashimi told Al-Monitor, “The PMU troops will take part in the liberation of Mosul, but they will not reach the center of Mosul. They will stay on the outskirts of the city. There was a previous agreement between the international coalition and the Iraqi government not to let the PMU enter the city of Mosul.”

The League of the Righteous movement, a PMU faction, issued threats against anyone trying to prevent the PMU from fighting for Mosul. Movement spokesperson Jawad Tlabawi said in a June 25 press statement, “Those opposing the participation of the PMU factions in the liberation of Mosul will be crushed and should only blame themselves.”