Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces says unauthorized headquarters shut down

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) said on Monday that a number of unauthorized headquarters purporting to belong to the paramilitary organization have been closed, stressing that the sites had no link to the institution. In an official statement, the PMF said the closures and follow-up measures are being carried out by its Directorate of Security and Discipline. The action falls within the work of a permanent weapons-counting commission established by order of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the statement said. The paramilitary organization added that such violations will continue to be monitored and addressed, and warned that anyone attempting to imitate the PMF or use its name in any form will face legal and administrative measures. The statement did not specify the locations of the closed sites or the number of individuals affected. No further details were immediately available.