The United States and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday struck positions belonging to the Hashed al-Shaabi, an armed Iraqi alliance including powerful pro-Iran groups that have long threatened Washington. The Hashed al-Shaabi, also known as the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), is a network of Shia-majority factions established in 2014 to fight the Islamic State group.
Background of Hashed al-Shaabi
Formed following a fatwa from Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, Iraq's highest Shia religious authority, the Hashed forces were mostly trained by Iranians and led by Tehran-backed armed groups. These groups fought American forces after the US-led invasion that toppled former ruler Saddam Hussein in 2003. Their efforts were overseen by General Qasem Soleimani, the former head of Iran's Quds Force, who was killed in an American strike in Baghdad in 2020.
Current Composition and Activities
Today, the Hashed encompasses dozens of groups, including brigades belonging to powerful pro-Iran armed factions, which are blacklisted as terrorist organisations by the US. Some factions face accusations of collecting government salaries for their fighters while acting independently of the state. Over the years, they have seen their clout grow, with some gaining seats in parliament, even as several group leaders have been subjected to US sanctions.
Notable Factions and Attacks
Several pro-Iran groups are part of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq alliance, which has claimed hundreds of attacks against US facilities in Iraq and the region. The most active among them are Kataeb Hezbollah, which has long spearheaded attacks on US interests in Iraq, and over the years has lost key commanders in American strikes. They also include Kataeb Sayyid al-Shuhada and the al-Nujaba movement. These groups mainly rely on explosive-laden drones but also possess rockets, and are believed to have short-range ballistic missiles.
