Hashd al-Shaabi wounded continue sit-in outside Baghdad pension office for fifth day

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Wounded members of the Popular Mobilization Forces (Hashd al-Shaabi) and families of those killed have entered a fifth day of a sit-in outside the National Pension Authority building in Baghdad, demanding the payment of delayed benefits. The protesters are calling for treatment equal to their counterparts in the Defense and Interior ministries and the Counter-Terrorism Service. Footage from the scene showed clashes between the demonstrators and security forces, with injuries reported on both sides. The protesters said they have been blocked from entering the building where pension files are processed. Among their demands, the wounded want the right to combine two salaries fully implemented, allowing retirement pay to be merged with injury or disability allowances without restriction. They are also pressing for Articles 54 and 55, which grant additional financial benefits based on years of service, to be extended to Hashd al-Shaabi personnel. The demonstrators further called for the swift payment of end-of-service bonus differences and accumulated dues, and an end to administrative delays. No further details were immediately available on any response from the authorities.