‘Entire world in talks with Iraq to solve PMF issue’: Saudi diplomat

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Saudi Arabia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs told reporters at the UN General Assembly on Wednesday the “entire world” wants to “solve” the issue of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), armed militia units sponsored by Riyadh’s rival Iran. 

Responding to a Rudaw question at UN headquarters in New York, Adil al-Jubair said the role of the PMF, known as Hashd al-Shaabi in Arabic, has captured the world’s attention. 

“The entire world is in talks with Iraq to solve the PMF issue,” Jubair said, stressing that “Iraq has its own sovereignty that should be respected and valued”.

The PMF was created in 2014 following a fatwa, or religious call to action, from Iraq’s highest Shiite religious authority, Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, in response to the Islamic State (ISIS) insurgency. 

Although the PMF has been brought under the umbrella of the official Iraqi Security Forces (ISF), and measures have been taken to fully integrate the units into Iraq’s military apparatus, the PMF continues to act independently.

Several PMF commanders have been elected to the Iraqi parliament, many of them affiliated with the powerful Fatih bloc. 

As the PMF maintains close ties with Tehran, there are fears its units are acting as Iranian proxies to target US military and economic assets in Iraq and to provide a launch pad for operations against Iran’s regional rivals. 

When Saudi Arabia’s oil infrastructure came under attack last week, US officials suggested the missiles and drones used in the strike may have originated from Iraqi territory – a position later retracted. 

Sandwiched between Iran and Saudi Arabia, Iraq fears being dragged into a regional proxy war. On the flipside, Baghdad could make itself a hub where regional interests converge.

Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi has sought to normalize relations with all of its neighbors, including Saudi Arabia, since taking office in late-2018.

Abdul-Mahdi has paid frequent visits to the Gulf kingdom to promote business ties and strengthen bilateral relations, making another flying visit on Wednesday to discuss trade and Gulf security with Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. 

Responding to another Rudaw question at the UN General Assembly, Jubair hailed Baghdad and Riyadh’s “excellent relations”.

“Iraq is a neighboring country that has deep social, cultural, economic and political history with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Jubair said. “The relations now between Iraq and Saudi Arabia are excellent, especially after the recent deals between the two countries.”

In his address to the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, Iraqi President Barham Salih told delegates: “Iraq is keen on making positive relations with everyone, and every neighbor of Iraq.”

Rapprochement between Iraq and Saudi Arabia began in 2015 when Riyadh reopened its Baghdad embassy following a 25-year hiatus. A coordination council to strengthen the two countries’ relations was established in 2017.

Riyadh opened a separate consulate building in Baghdad in April 2019 and pledged $1.5 billion in loans to Iraq. The Arar border crossing between the two countries is set to reopen next month after nearly three decades of closure.

Iran meanwhile continues to wield considerable influence in Iraq.

The country is one of Iraq’s main energy providers, and Iraq has had to secure exemptions from US sanctions to continue importing electricity.