Iraq Shiite leaders agree on Popular Mobilization legislation, weapons storage

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Shiite leaders within Iraq's Coordination Framework have agreed to send a service and retirement law for members of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) to parliament by the end of September, according to the agreement. The draft had previously passed a first reading under former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani's government before being withdrawn to amend certain provisions. The planned legislation covers ranks and career progression, the rights of those killed and wounded in action, the status of members past the legal retirement age, the PMF's overall structure, and the number of brigades and their command arrangements. It also addresses the situation of individuals who fought against ISIS in 2014 while below the legal age at the time. The draft is expected to be referred in the coming days to parliament's security, defense and legal affairs committees. Separately, negotiators reached a compromise on weapons, under which arms are to be transferred directly to PMF depots rather than to any other security institution. The weapons process is set to begin after the completion of U.S. force withdrawals from their bases and the approval of the retirement law. No further details were immediately available on the implementation timeline.