Head of the Badr organization of Iraq’s pro-Iran Coordination Framework Hadi al-Ameri has caused a stir in the country by threatening to storm the parliament to make it approve a controversial draft law related to the Iran-aligned Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF).
In a post on the X platform, he declared that the parliament was facing “a major test and historic challenge to approve the law away from foreign or internal influence.”
“We will enter parliament dressed in our PMF outfits out of respect for the martyrs and wounded,” he said.
Washington has openly and repeatedly spoken against the law, which it says would enshrine Iran’s influence in Iraq.
Ameri and some allied armed factions inside the Coordination Framework have expressed renewed determination to ratify the law in wake of a visit to Iraq last week by Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani.
This drive will likely deepen divisions with other members of the Framework.
Iraqi political circles said attempting to ratify the law by force would deepen tensions with the United States and complicate the political scene in Iraq.
A Sunni former MP said the US may also seize the opportunity to impose “other unfavorable options on the Iraqis.”
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat on condition of anonymity, he said: “The current problem about the PMF involves the Americans, Shiites and Iranians. The Sunnis and Kurds have nothing to do with it.”
“The Sunnis and Kurds are partners in this nation, as stipulated in the constitution, but in reality, it seems they are not being involved in crucial affairs,” he lamented.
He warned against the Shiite MPs following through on the threat to enter parliament dressed in PMF outfits, while noting that they hold the simple majority to approve laws.
“The ratification of the PMF law may lead the US to impose sanctions that would not only target the Shiites, but the whole of Iraq. The Sunnis and the Kurds will be the first to feel these sanctions,” he added.
Shiites hold 180 out 325 seats in the legislature. For weeks the parliament has not been able to gather the needed quorum to ratify the contentious law due to divisions among Shiite ranks. The majority of the Shiite lawmakers support delaying the approval, fearing America’s ire.
Ameri’s threat came as a surprise and may deepen tensions between Baghdad and Washington.
A US State Department spokesman had warned that Iraq may face economic sanctions if it ratifies the law given Washington’s “maximum pressure” campaign on Iran.
President Donald Trump will not hesitate in taking a firmer stance when it comes to economic sanctions against any entity or state that has illegal ties with Iran, he added.
