Since the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) transformed from an emergency force fighting ISIS into...

This approach now appears to be expanding into direct economic tools, evident in the repeated delays in PMF salary disbursements, some Iraqi banks’ refusal to process those payments, and discussions about replacing the Qi Card system. While no official statement links these developments to U.S. sanctions, unofficial remarks and public calls for PMF integration into the army and police turn suspicion into near certainty of systematic external pressure.

In this article—part of a series spotlighting the U.S. perspective on the PMF—we focus on the writings of American researcher Michael Knights, a leading voice on this issue. In an article dated June 3, 2023, Knights explores the political and economic dimensions Washington employs to curb the PMF’s influence, viewing it as one of the main obstacles to its regional project.

“An Exceptional Expansion of the PMF in Numbers” By Amir Al-Kaabi & Michael Knights – The Washington Institute for Near East Policy

This analytical study addresses the rapid expansion of Iraq’s PMF, focusing on the growth in personnel, budgets, training, and economic ventures—all taking place as militia leaders strive to keep this expansion under the radar.

Personnel & Budget • Iraq’s 2023–2025 draft budget shows a dramatic increase in PMF personnel. A parliamentary source noted a rise from 122,000 to 238,000 members. PMF Chairman Faleh al-Fayyad stated that the force grew from 170,000 in 2021 to 204,000 in 2023—an annual growth rate of nearly 20%.

• This far exceeds proposed increases in the Ministries of Defense (+6%) and Interior (+3%).

Transparency & Official Records • PMF numbers have long been opaque, with actual fighter counts exceeding those officially recorded. Under Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani’s “resistance” government, the PMF is pushing to surpass its prior ceiling of 160,000–170,000 registered members, backed by an estimated 25,000–35,000 unofficial fighters.

Legalization & Institutionalization Efforts • A new “PMF Service and Retirement Law” is currently in the works—intended to formalize the PMF’s status and extend legal recognition and government benefits to its members.

Implications & Consequences • This systematic expansion reflects a structural shift in Iraq’s security architecture. It raises core questions about the PMF’s integration into state institutions, its transparency, and its alignment with national interests.

Analytical Background: Through its ongoing expansion, legal cover, and growing state funding, the PMF has become a central actor in Iraq’s political-security balance. This raises serious concerns—both domestically and internationally—regarding its autonomy, the extent of Iranian influence, and its impact on state sovereignty and security sector reform.