Ayatollah Sistani voices opposition to the dismantling of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF)
According to information obtained by the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, Iraq's influential Shia cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, has reportedly expressed opposition to the disbanding of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF).
The Iraqi government has reportedly been approached by multiple international and regional bodies with calls to dissolve the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and relinquish their armaments, according to anonymous sources cited in an interview with Al-Akhbar on Sunday.
According to a report by a Lebanese newspaper, a source has disclosed that Mohamed Al Hassan, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Iraq, has undertaken two visits to Najaf to hold discussions with Ayatollah Sistani.
A source has revealed that the objective of the second visit was to request Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani to issue a religious decree (fatwa) concerning either the disbandment of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) or their integration into other security ministries. The request holds considerable weight given that Ayatollah Sistani’s earlier fatwa played a pivotal role in the establishment of the PMF. Despite the significance of the request, the esteemed Shia cleric did not agree to meet with the representative of the UN Secretary-General.
A source with ties to the Iraqi government has indicated that the push to dissolve the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) is influenced by Western interests. The source emphasized that such topics frequently surface, notably from the United States, which has long voiced its discontent with Iraqi resistance organizations.
According to another Iraqi source, Ayatollah al-Sistani held a historic meeting with Mohammed al-Hasan to deliberate on the regional dynamics and Iraq’s national interests.
In a recent development, Ayatollah al-Sistani opted not to personally meet with the United Nations Secretary-General’s envoy during their second meeting. Instead, he delegated his son, Mohammed Ridha al-Sistani, to extend the reception.
Sources indicate that in an initial meeting, the United Nations envoy urged Ayatollah al-Sistani to contemplate the dissolution of the Popular Mobilization Forces. However, reports suggest that Ayatollah al-Sistani opted not to meet with the envoy, al-Hasan, on a subsequent visit, signaling his opposition to the proposal.
