Hashd al-Shaabi head urges headquarters moved outside Iraqi cities

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The head of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), Falah al-Fayyadh, has called on the Chief of Staff and Prime Minister to relocate the group's headquarters away from urban centers. Speaking at a ceremony marking the PMF's 12th founding anniversary, al-Fayyadh said the force operates in full compliance with the laws and regulations governing its activities and movements. Al-Fayyadh rejected claims that the PMF is a sectarian body, describing it instead as a national umbrella that brings together Iraqis from different faiths and communities against terrorism. He said minorities have found an opportunity to defend their areas and that the structure has helped entrench a sense of national partnership. He also called for the construction of modern, well-equipped headquarters outside city and provincial centers, saying the move was important for military order and discipline, and urged the government to accelerate the necessary infrastructure work. The request comes amid renewed debate in Iraq over centralizing weapons under state control and during the ongoing drawdown of U.S.-led international coalition forces in the country.