Iran-aligned Iraqi factions slammed the United States following its rejection of a law on the legalization of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF).
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held telephone talks on Wednesday with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to express his concern about the law.
A State Department statement said Rubio "reiterated serious US concerns with the Popular Mobilization Commission (PMC) bill currently pending in the Council of Representatives (COR), emphasizing that any such legislation would institutionalize Iranian influence and armed terrorist groups undermining Iraq’s sovereignty."
The Iraqi factions responded to Rubio’s remarks by reiterating demands for the US to pull out its troops from the country.
Head of the Asaib Ahl al-Haq faction and a leading member of the pro-Iran Coordination Framework Qais al-Khazali condemned the "flagrant American meddling in Iraqi affairs, which goes beyond diplomatic violations, but is a clear attack on national sovereignty and the essence of the democratic process that the West has long boasted about."
"Preventing the parliament from carrying out its legislative role, under American pressure, obstructs state institutions and is a form of political blackmail, which is unacceptable," he went on to say.
Kazali, who also leads an armed branch of the Coordination Framework, warned that succumbing to the US pressure is tantamount to abandoning national decision-making power and the will of the people.
Remaining silent over the issue will also "officially lead to the death of democracy in Iraq," he claimed.
The security official of the Kataib Hezbollah, known as "Abou Ali al-Askari", said Sudani is obligated to fulfill the agreement with the armed factions about the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.
In a post on X, he noted that two months remain until its implementation and that the PM is obligated to ensure the withdrawal of the troops from Baghdad airport and the Ain al-Asad base.
"We have given the prime minister enough opportunity to commit to the agreement (...) the factions will have something to say about this," he added without elaborating.
Washington and Baghdad agreed in September 2024 on ending the mission of the anti-ISIS international coalition in Iraq within 12 months.
Meanwhile, the Coordination Framework did not make an official comment about Washington’s rejection of the PMF legislation, but it held a meeting to discuss the telephone call between Sudani and Rubio.
In a brief statement, it condemned the recent drone attacks on oil facilities in Iraqi Kurdistan.
Local media reported on an "American message, which was presented at the Coordination Framework meeting, and that warned that Iraq will suffer severe consequences should it approve the PMF legislation."
"Sponsors of the draft-law are jeopardizing their country’s sovereignty in favor of Iranian influence, warned the message," they added.
The message has not been verified.
MP Majid Shankali told local media that the parliament will not convene to discuss the PMF law, citing the American pressure.
The US will not allow this law to pass, he stated, warning that it may impose gradual sanctions if it is.
