Will PMUs participate in Battle for Mosul?

PMU spokesman Karim al-Nuri confirmed during a telephone conversation with Al-Monitor, "No one can stop our forces, which are a national military force seeking to rid Iraq of terrorism. The PMU will disregard those opposing their participation for political purposes.”

Political differences will be dramatic in the battle to liberate Mosul.

Atheel al-Nujaifi, a former governor of Ninevah province, leads the National Mobilization, a group made up of Mosul residents. He said in a June 25 press statement, “The national Kurdish peshmerga forces and the National Mobilization would not let anyone [in reference to the Shiite PMU] approach Mosul because its liberation is within the responsibilities of the Iraqi forces, the peshmerga forces and the National Mobilization. [Gen.] Qasem Soleimani [leader of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps' Quds Force] and the PMU want to extend Iran’s influence to control Mosul.”

Sunni politicians say it is prudent to keep the PMU outside Mosul to avoid any revenge operations or friction with civilians that could lead to human rights violations.

However, no one can guarantee that the PMU will not enter the city. In the Fallujah liberation battle, PMU members wore federal police uniforms and entered the city's center, even though PMU faction leader Ameri had stated publicly that would not happen.

Those opposing the PMU’s participation in the liberation of Mosul may be facing a fait accompli imposed by the prime minister, even if he is only responding to pressure from PMU leaders and Iran.

(Mosul image via Shutterstock)