Identity and Power Politics: Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces on the Arbaeen Pilgrimage

A record 22.19 million pilgrims reportedly visited Karbala, Iraq in September for the Arbaeen pilgrimage, marking the end of the 40-day mourning period following the anniversary of the martyrdom of Hussein ibn Ali, the third imam of the Shia, in 680. Prohibited under Baath rule, the pilgrimage was revived after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq and has since attracted millions of pilgrims, primarily Shia Muslims from Iraq and Iran. The pilgrimage not only shapes a transnational Shia identity but also serves as a physical manifestation of the political power of Shia Muslims in Iraq. Shia clerics, custodians of shrines (with their business conglomerates), governments, political parties, and militias alike try to harness and capitalize on pilgrims and pilgrimages. One such group is Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces, an array of militias that contains pro-Iranian forces, whose chief of staff was recently interviewed by Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps mouthpiece Javan newspaper.

• October 21: Javan featured an interview with Yassir Hussein al-Isawi, chief of staff of the PMF:
  • Commenting on his friendship with the late PMF Deputy Commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who was assassinated January 3, 2020, Isawi said: “I personally got to know him around 2003. Back then, he played a prominent role in managing the resistance against the American occupation forces … One of his characteristics was to always consult with religious leaders … with regard to legal issues or fateful decisions for the state.”
  • Discussing the role of the PMF today, he said: “Political stability in Iraq is due to the PMF. The PMF boasts political power and influence and deals with other security services that would not have enjoyed a stable existence without the PMF.”
  • Asked why the United States “is opposed to the continued operations of the PMF,” he said: “First of all, the PMF resisted the United States and was opposed to the U.S. occupation of Iraq … Second, the Americans established terrorist organizations, such as the Islamic State and al-Qaeda. They came here to weaken the Iraqi state. I must say, had it not been for the PMF, they would have succeeded … This is why the Americans try to prevent PMF victories, want to uproot it and weaken it, and insult it.”
  • Turning to the role of the PMF in the Arbaeen pilgrimage, Isawi said: “It was organized under the auspices of the prime minister’s office … We have a joint committee composed of the Iraqi army, Iraqi police, and other security services, but the PMF is the most active party in the committee … 20,000 of our service members were used to secure the Arbaeen pilgrimage. Geographically, our field of responsibility spans from the Iran-Iraq border to the holy city of Karbala. This is a truly vast area, and it is not easy to secure … Pilgrims must be secured from several border passings, such as Basra in the south or Mosul and Kirkuk in the north. Then there are those who take on the pilgrimage on foot! Right now, we have more than 2,000 security cameras all over Iraq to safeguard pilgrims against potential terrorist attacks. We also had more than 3,000 intelligence operatives infiltrating the ranks of the pilgrims so they could safely reach Karbala … This was a huge operation involving water tankers, fuel tankers, closed-circuit cameras, and free transportation vehicles. We even provided the pilgrims free phone lines so they could get in touch with relatives … Then there are medical services at mobile hospital units and ambulances, all of which were offered free of charge.”

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