Pitfalls within the security forces leave Iraq vulnerable

Over the span of one week, Turkish forces began a fresh offensive targeting Iraqi Kurdistan in northern Iraq, U.S. assets were bombarded with rocket attacks for the thirtieth time since January in Bagdad, and eighteen Iraqi military personnel were killed by ISIS fighters in various agricultural suburbs in the country. While the Iraqi government has focused on balancing U.S.-Iranian tensions, Ankara and ISIS sleeper cells have taken advantage of perceived gaps in the country’s security apparatus. In order to counter the resurgence of extremist activity, the Iraqi Security Forces must be reworked to exclude the Iranian-backed Shiite paramilitary groups.

Following the departure of U.S. troops from Iraq in 2004, Iraq essentially had to completely dismantle and then restructure its security force network from top to bottom. In 2014 ISIS achieved major territorial gains in Iraq which forced the army to rebuild again, this time relying heavily on foreign intervention and training. Over 250,000 local troops were trained or mentored by the U.S.-led coalition that entered the conflict to aid in the fight against ISIS. The Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) also entered the conflict at this time, initially supporting the multi-coalition effort to defeat the Islamic State. By 2019, PMF militias were officially integrated into the Iraqi Security Forces.

Once ISIS was believed to be largely defeated in Iraq, the PMF militias adopted a new purpose.  By infiltrating all aspects of Iraqi political, economic, and military spheres, these Shiite militias were well equipped to export Tehran’s clout throughout the country. The PMF currently function within the Iraqi Security Forces under law, although their motives and actions aim to satisfy the interests of Iran.

The PMF’s disregard for Iraq’s sovereignty has been demonstrated amid rising U.S.-Iranian tensions in recent months. Following the U.S.-ordered targeted killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani in January 2020, Iraq has become a battleground for U.S.-Iranian tensions. Iranian-backed militias have repeatedly targeted U.S. assets and diplomatic sites in Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone with rocket and drone assaults for nearly a year. In response, the United States has pressured the Iraqi government to punish those responsible for the attacks.