Key facts
- Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq formed a central committee to sever ties with the PMF.
- The committee will ensure weapons are exclusively held by the state.
- The decision follows a call by Iraq's ruling Shiite bloc to restrict arms to the state.
Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq, an Iran-aligned Iraqi Shiite militia, has announced the formation of a central committee tasked with severing ties with the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). This move includes placing the militia's personnel and weapons under state authority. The decision aligns with a recent call from Iraq's ruling Shiite bloc to consolidate arms exclusively within the state. This development signals a potential shift in the power dynamics of paramilitary groups operating within Iraq and could impact regional stability.