The US has renewed its opposition to two bills under consideration in the Iraqi parliament that would formally restructure the country’s Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), an umbrella group of mainly Iran-backed Shiite militias.
In a meeting with deputy speaker Muhsin Al Mandalawi, US charge d’affaires Steven Fagin warned that the draft bills could undermine Iraq’s sovereignty and further entrench Iranian influence in the country’s political and security landscape, according to a statement published by the US embassy late on Sunday. The meeting took place the day before, it said.
Mr Fagin “reiterated US concerns” about the two proposed bills during the meeting, it said. The “legislation would institutionalise Iranian influence and strengthen armed terrorist groups, undermining Iraq’s sovereignty”, it added.
Tehran-aligned political parties and armed factions have been pushing for the two bills: one to reconstruct the PMF and cement its role, and another for retirement benefits. The parliament finished the second reading on the reconstruction of PMF and is expected to put it on vote soon.
The PMF, known locally as Al Hashid Al Shaabi, is a state-sponsored umbrella organisation of mostly Shiite paramilitary groups, many of which have close ties to Iran. While the PMF was formally incorporated into Iraq’s security apparatus in 2016 following its critical role in defeating ISIS, critics say several factions continue to operate independently of state control, with some accused of attacking diplomatic missions and US interests.
In a letter to parliament, PMF chairman Falih Al Fayyadh called on politicians to vote on the legislation, saying it is a “national responsibility and a matter related to the dignity of those who took up the weapons to defend Iraq and its sovereignty”.
“Voting on the Popular Mobilisation Forces Law is not just a legislative procedure, but an expression of the people's appreciation for their fighters and uphold their rights,” Mr Al Fayyadh added.
In a bid to increase pressure on Iran's proxies in Iraq, the US has blacklisted several senior PMF leaders between 2019 and 2021, including Mr Al Fayyadh, under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. He is set to run in parliamentary elections in November as an ally of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani.
It is the latest US warning in a short period of time. Late last month, the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the issue with Mr Al Sudani.
Mr Rubio “reiterated serious US concerns” about the PMF, emphasising that “any such legislation would institutionalise Iranian influence and armed terrorist groups undermining Iraq’s sovereignty”, spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said in a statement.
During that call, Mr Al Sudani defended the proposed legislation, saying it’s part of an effort to ensure that arms are controlled by the state.
It is “part of the government's security reform process and part of the government programme approved by the House of Representatives”, his office said, adding that PMF is an “official Iraqi military institution operating under the authority of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces”.
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Match info
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Liverpool v Porto, Tuesday, 11pm (UAE)
Matches can be watched on BeIN Sports
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
Scoreline
Liverpool 3
Mane (7'), Salah (69'), Firmino (90')
Bournemouth 0
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Company profile
Name: Tratok Portal
Founded: 2017
Based: UAE
Sector: Travel & tourism
Size: 36 employees
Funding: Privately funded
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
INFO
What: DP World Tour Championship
When: November 21-24
Where: Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ae.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Company%20Profile
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Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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The biog
Name: Salem Alkarbi
Age: 32
Favourite Al Wasl player: Alexandre Oliveira
First started supporting Al Wasl: 7
Biggest rival: Al Nasr
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Jawan
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Company%20Profile
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The Birkin bag is made by Hermès.
It is named after actress and singer Jane Birkin
Noone from Hermès will go on record to say how much a new Birkin costs, how long one would have to wait to get one, and how many bags are actually made each year.
Profile of Tarabut Gateway
Founder: Abdulla Almoayed
Based: UAE
Founded: 2017
Number of employees: 35
Sector: FinTech
Raised: $13 million
Backers: Berlin-based venture capital company Target Global, Kingsway, CE Ventures, Entrée Capital, Zamil Investment Group, Global Ventures, Almoayed Technologies and Mad’a Investment.
Specs%3A%202024%20McLaren%20Artura%20Spider
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In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
SCHEDULE FOR SHOW COURTS
Centre Court - from 4pm (UAE time)
Angelique Kerber (1) v Irina Falconi
Martin Klizan v Novak Djokovic (2)
Alexandr Dolgopolov v Roger Federer (3)
Court One - from 4pm
Milos Raonic (6) v Jan-Lennard Struff
Karolina Pliskova (3) v Evgeniya Rodina
Dominic Thiem (8) v Vasek Pospisil
Court Two - from 2.30pm
Juan Martin Del Potro (29) v Thanasi Kokkinakis
Agnieszka Radwanska (9) v Jelena Jankovic
Jeremy Chardy v Tomas Berdych (11)
Ons Jabeur v Svetlana Kuznetsova (7)
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Cry Macho
Director: Clint Eastwood
Stars: Clint Eastwood, Dwight Yoakam
Rating:**
