{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name =Popular Mobilization Forces
| native_name =al-Hashd al-Shaabi
| image =File:Ministry of the Interior logo (Iraq).jpg
| alt =
| caption =Ministry of the Interior logo
| dates =15 June 2014-present<ref>{{cite news|last1=al Khadimi|first1=Mustafa|title=Will Sistani be able to control popular mobilization forces? |url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2015/03/iraq-sistani-righteous-jihad-fatwa-popular-mobilization.html#|accessdate=14 March 2015|work=Al-Monitor|date=12 March 2015}}</ref>
| country = {{flag|Iraq|size=23px}}
| countries =
| allegiance = {{flag|Iraq|size=23px}}
| branch =
| type =Militia
| role =Guerilla warfare
| size =20,000<ref>{{cite news|title=Iraq militia leader hails Iran's 'unconditional' support|url=http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20150313/AP01/303139975/-1/LIVING|accessdate=15 March 2015|work=News Sentinel|date=14 March 2015}}</ref> - 30,000
| command_structure =[[Ministry of Interior (Iraq)]]
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| battles =*'''[[Military intervention against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant]]'''
*[[Second Battle of Tikrit (2014–15)|Second Battle of Tikrit]]<ref>http://observers.france24.com/content/20150311-video-shiite-militias-sunni-village-tikrit</ref><ref>http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/03/13/us-mideast-iraq-idUSKBN0M91DR20150313</ref>
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| current_commander =[[Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis]]
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}}
[[File:Badr Organisation fighters.png|thumb|150px|left|Fighters belonging to [[Badr Organisation]].]]
{{Infobox War Faction
|name=Popular Mobilization Forces (al-Hashd al-Shaabi)
|war=the [[Iraqi insurgency (post-U.S. withdrawal)|Iraqi Insurgency]]
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|headquarters=[[Najaf]], [[Baghdad]]
|area=[[Iraq]]
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|allies= {{flag|Iran|size=23px}}
|opponents={{flagicon image|Flag of Islamic State of Iraq.svg|size=23px}} [[Islamic State of Iraq and Syria|Islamic State]] {{flagicon image|Flag of Jihad.svg|size=23px}} [[Iraqi insurgency (Iraq War)#Sunni Islamist|Sunni Insurgents]]
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The '''Popular Mobilization Forces''', also known as the '''Popular Mobilization Committee''' or '''Popular Mobilization Units''' ({{lang-ar|الحشد الشعبي ''al-Hashd al-Shaabi''}} which means '''The Public Crowd'''), are several mostly-Shiite militias raised and deployed against the [[Islamic State of Iraq and Syria]] in 2014 and 2015 alongside the [[Iraqi Army]] and the other [[Iraqi security forces]]. They were formed formed following the [[fall of Mosul]] on June 10, 2014, following [[Marja']] [[Ali al-Sistani]]'s fatwa on «righteous jihad» , first to defend Shiite holy sites and Baghdad, and then to participate to the counter-offensive.<ref>{{cite news|last1=al Khadimi|first1=Mustafa|title=Will Sistani be able to control popular mobilization forces?|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2015/03/iraq-sistani-righteous-jihad-fatwa-popular-mobilization.html#|accessdate=14 March 2015|work=Al-Monitor|date=12 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=AP Interview: Iraq’s al-Maliki denies seeking comeback|url=http://wtop.com/middle-east/2015/02/ap-interview-iraqs-al-maliki-denies-seeking-comeback/|accessdate=15 March 2015|date=2 February 2015}}</ref> The forces brought together a number of Shiite militias, some of which receive direct support from [[Iran]]. Some of the militias constituting the Popular Mobilization Forces are accused of war crimes motivated by sectarian revenge reasons. Although they are predominantly Shiite, there are also Sunni and Christian units. The Popular Mobilization Forces were established by the Iraqi government on June 15, 2014, following Ali al Sistani's fatwa issued on June 13, 2014.<ref>{{cite news|last1=al Khadimi|first1=Mustafa|title=Will Sistani be able to control popular mobilization forces?|accessdate=14 March 2015|work=Al-Monitor|date=12 March 2015}}</ref> The forces would be to fall under the umbrella of the state’s security services and within the legal frameworks and practices of the [[Ministry of Interior (Iraq)|Ministry of Interior]]. In the course of events, however, some of these groups embarked on a different path, operating independently.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Mamouri|first1=Ali|title=Concern in Iraq grows over unregulated Shiite forces|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2015/02/iraq-popular-mobilization-crimes-government-control.html|accessdate=15 March 2015|work=al-Monitor.com|date=17 February 2015}}</ref> 
According to some sources, the Popular Mobilization Forces have made a fundamental difference on the battlefield, as they have undermined the superiority of IS at the level of [[guerilla warfare]], as well as at the level of the [[psychological operations]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=al-Khadimi|first1=Mustafa|title=Iraqi volunteers' victories don't justify atrocities|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/en/contents/articles/originals/2014/12/iraq-popular-mobilization-shiite-achievements-violations.html|accessdate=14 March 2015|work=al-Monitor|date=22 December 2014}}</ref>

== Composition and organization ==
[[File:Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq fighters.png|thumb|150px|left|Fighters belonging to [[Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq]].]]
[[File:Kata'ib Hezbollah in Iraq.jpeg|thumb|150px|left|Fighters belonging to the [[Kata'ib Hezbollah]].]]
The Popular Mobilization Forces consist of both new volunteers and pre-existing militias, which have been grouped within the umbrella organization formally under the control of the [[Ministry of Interior (Iraq)|Ministry of Interior]] Popular Mobilization Units directorate.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Ali|first1=Ahmed|title=Iraq’s Prime Minister Reshuffles the Security Commanders|url=http://iswiraq.blogspot.it/2014/11/iraqs-prime-minister-reshuffles.html|website=Institute for the Study of War|accessdate=15 March 2015|date=14 November 2014}}</ref> Among these militias there are the [[Peace Brigades (Iraq)|Peace Brigades]], formerly known as the [[Mahdi Army]], which is affiliated with Shiite cleric [[Muqtada al-Sadr]], [[Kata'ib Hezbollah]], Jund al-Imam, [[Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq]] and the [[Badr Organization]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Iraqi Popular Forces Warn to Disclose Coalition’s Support for ISIL|url=http://www.islamicinvitationturkey.com/2015/03/01/iraqi-popular-forces-warn-to-disclose-coalitions-support-for-isil/|accessdate=17 March 2015|work=Islamic Invitation Turkey|date=1 March 2015}}</ref> 
The Popular Mobilization Forces are allegedly led by Jamal Jaafar Mohammed, also known as Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, head of the Kata'ib Hezbollah [[Special Groups (Iraq)|Special Groups]]<ref>{{cite news|last1=Badran|first1=Tony|title=Exporting the Islamic Revolution|url=https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/commentary/564933-exporting-the-islamic-revolution|accessdate=15 March 2015|work=NOW.|date=6 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Hashem|first1=Ali|title=Iraqi town celebrates victory over Islamic State|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2015/01/islamic-state-loses-dhuluiya.html|accessdate=15 March 2015|work=al-Monitor|date=2 January 2015}}</ref> and the chain of command runs through pre-existing leaders.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sly|first1=Liz|title=Iraq's pro-Iranian Shiite militias lead the war against the Islamic State|url=http://www.stripes.com/news/middle-east/iraq-s-pro-iranian-shiite-militias-lead-the-war-against-the-islamic-state-1.329733|accessdate=15 March 2015|work=Star and Stripes|date=16 February 2015}}</ref> Alongside Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, other two people are in charge of the al-Hashd al-Shaabi: Qais al-Khazali, commander of Asa’ib Ahl Al Haq. and [[Hadi Al-Amiri]], the chief of the [[Badr Organization]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Grappo|first1=Gary|title=Iran’s Strategic Victory: Hezbollah-ized Iraq|url=http://thedailyjournalist.com/the-strategist/irans-strategic-victory-hezbollah-ized-iraq/|accessdate=16 March 2015|work=The Daily Journalist|date=14 March 2015}}</ref> Such organizational features are deemed to prevent the consolidation of Prime Minister al-Abadi's power.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Barnard|first1=Anne|title=A Balancing Act as Iraq Claims Gains in Tikrit|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/13/world/middleeast/tikrit-isis-iraq.html|accessdate=16 March 2015|work=The New York Times|date=12 March 2015}}</ref> The militias are trained and supported by military advisors coming from both Iran and [[Hezbollah]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Iran’s Influence Grows In Iraq (Daniel 8)|url=https://andrewtheprophet.wordpress.com/2015/03/14/irans-influence-grows-in-iraq-daniel-8/|website=Andrew The Prophet|accessdate=15 March 2015|date=14 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Hashem|first1=Ali|title=Iraq’s Shiite forces claim victory over IS|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2015/03/iraq-shiite-hezbollah-nujaba-victory-islamic-state.html|accessdate=20 March 2015|work=Al-Monitor|date=16 March 2015}}</ref> including prominent [[Quds Force]] figures such as [[Qasem Soleimani]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Analysis 03-06-2015|url=http://thinktankmonitor.org/analysis-03-06-2015/|website=Center for American and Arab Studies|accessdate=17 March 2015|date=7 March 2015}}</ref> 
The al-Hashd al-Shaabi appear to deploy at least a [[Regiment]] under the command of [[Colonel]] Juma al-Jumaili in [[Al-Anbar province]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Iraqi forces retake region, police station in Anbar|url=http://www.iran-daily.com/News/113939.html|accessdate=15 March 2015|work=Iran Daily|date=15 March 2015}}</ref>

== Equipment ==
The equipment of the Popular Mobilization Forces is a major issue. At the end of January 2015, a video<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItK0Jb88quw|title=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItK0Jb88quw}}</ref> showed a large [[Kata'ib Hezbollah]] convoy transporting several American-made military vehicles, including an [[M1 Abrams Tank]], [[M113 armored personnel carrier|M113 armoured personnel carriers]], [[Humvee]]s, and [[MRAP]] vehicles as well as Iranian-made [[Safir (vehicle)|Safir 4x4]]s and technicals with Kata’ib Hezbollah’s flags flying.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Roggio|first1=Bill|last2=Weiss|first2=Caleb|title=Video shows Hezbollah Brigades convoy transporting American M1 tank|url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/01/hezbollah_brigades_c.php|website=The Long War Journal|accessdate=17 March 2015|date=28 January 2015}}</ref> According to some sources, the Iraqi government is supplying U.S.-provided military equipment to the militias.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Rogin|first1=Josh|last2=Lake|first2=Eli|title=Iran-Backed Militias Are Getting U.S. Weapons|url=http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-01-08/iranbacked-militias-are-getting-us-weapons-in-iraq|accessdate=17 March 2015|work=Bloomberg View}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Armed with U.S. weapons, infamous militia beating ISIS|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/armed-with-u-s-weapons-ruthless-militia-beating-isis-in-iraq/|accessdate=17 March 2015|date=2 February 2015}}</ref> Iraqi minister of transportation, and the head of the Badr Organization, Hadi Al-Amiri criticized the U.S. for the lack of providing arms.<ref>{{cite news|title="Those Kissed US Hands, Didn't Get Anything": Iraq Shiite Commander|url=http://en.alalam.ir/news/1685165|accessdate=17 March 2015|work=Alalam|date=14 March 2015}}</ref> 
Alongside U.S.-made military equipment handed over to or fallen into the hands of Popular Mobilization Forces, Iran is a major supplier; according to some sources in 2014 Tehran sold Baghdad nearly $10 billion worth of weapons and hardware. Furthermore, there is a daily supply of Iranian weapons.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hemdawi|first1=Hamza|last2=Abdul-Zahra|first2=Qassim|title=Iran eclipses U.S. as Iraq's ally in fight against militants|url=http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/2015/01/12/iran-iraq-militants/21623533/|accessdate=20 March 2015|work=MilitaryTimes|date=12 January 2015}}</ref>

== Major engagements ==
The Popular Mobilization Forces have been involved in several battles of the [[military intervention against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant]] since their founding, the most important being:
* [[Second Battle of Tikrit (March 2015)]]

== War crimes accusations ==
Some of the militias constituting the Popular Mobilization Forces have been accused of war crimes motivated by sectarian revenge reasons: according to Amnesty International, Shiite militias have abducted, tortured and killed several Sunni civilians.<ref>{{cite news|last1=al-Khadimi|first1=Mustafa|title=Iraqi volunteers' victories don't justify atrocities|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/en/contents/articles/originals/2014/12/iraq-popular-mobilization-shiite-achievements-violations.html|accessdate=14 March 2015|work=al-Monitor|date=22 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Iraqi Shia militias accused of murder spree|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/humanrights/2014/10/iraq-shia-fighters-guilty-war-crimes-2014101311251478369.html|accessdate=16 March 2015|work=Al-Jazeera|date=14 October 2014}}</ref> Militias commanders strongly denied such accusations. 
Highest Iraqi Shiite authorities, such as Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani or Ayatollah [[Hussein Al-Sadr]], called on the militants in the popular mobilization forces to avoid war crimes or other despicable behaviour<ref>{{cite news|last1=Mamouri|first1=Ali|title=Iraq needs justice, not revenge|url=http://www.arabamericannews.com/news/news/id_10194/Iraq-needs-justice,-not-revenge.html|accessdate=15 March 2015|work=The Arab American News|date=12 March 2015}}</ref> and inquiry committees have been established in order to find the truth.<ref>{{cite news|title=Iraq’s PM Abadi Orders Probe Into Two Civilian Deaths at Anbar Security HQ|url=http://canadaheadline.com/world-news/asia/149-iraq-s-pm-abadi-orders-probe-into-two-civilian-deaths-at-anbar-security-hq|accessdate=15 March 2015|work=Canada Headlines|date=13 February 2015}}</ref>

== Related voices ==
* [[Second Battle of Tikrit (March 2015)]]
* [[Iraqi insurgency (2011–present)|Iraqi insurgency]]
* [[Iranian intervention in Iraq (2014–present)]].
* [[Private militias in Iraq]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Military units and formations of Iraq]]
[[Category:Paramilitary forces of Iraq]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 2014]]
[[Category:2014 establishments|Category:2014 establishments in Iraq]]