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Iraqi Army Restricts Movement of PMF in its Camps

Iranian-backed Iraqi militia members roam the streets of Baghdad on June 29 (AP)
Iranian-backed Iraqi militia members roam the streets of Baghdad on June 29 (AP)
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Iraqi Army Restricts Movement of PMF in its Camps

Iranian-backed Iraqi militia members roam the streets of Baghdad on June 29 (AP)
Iranian-backed Iraqi militia members roam the streets of Baghdad on June 29 (AP)

Iraqi military sources revealed accelerated measures to regulate the relationship between the army and the Popular Mobilization Forces, days before the launch of the strategic dialogue between Baghdad and Washington, and US President Joe Biden’s meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi at the White House on July 26.

The new measures include “imposing more controls on the activity of the Popular Mobilization Forces and preventing the use of military sites affiliated with the army to launch hostile attacks” against military bases and foreign missions.

The sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that new arrangements were evident in most of the military units, noting that the factions have changed their field strategy by positioning in new locations on the outskirts of cities, or near the borders, to avoid air strikes, or by taking advantage of their presence in joint bases with the Iraqi army or the Federal Police.

According to information obtained by Asharq Al-Awsat, the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces has recently imposed measures that include monitoring the activities of the brigades inside army bases, and preventing any illegal operations.

A leader in the PMF said that the new measures stirred sporadic clashes between the two sides.

According to field sources, “severe differences developed into a quarrel between Iraqi officers in a military air base and a major PMF brigade, north of Baghdad, over the launch of drones carrying explosive equipment.”

Notably, Biden will receive the Iraqi prime minister on July 26 in Washington, the White House announced. According to an official statement, this visit aims to stress “the strategic partnership” between the two countries.

The US presidency also said that Biden was looking forward to strengthening bilateral cooperation with Iraq on political, economic and security issues.

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Türkiye Denies Direct Talks with SDF, Demands Full Disarmament

Türkiye insists on the dissolution of the SDF, the departure of foreign fighters from Syria, and the integration of remaining members into the new army (Reuters)
Türkiye insists on the dissolution of the SDF, the departure of foreign fighters from Syria, and the integration of remaining members into the new army (Reuters)
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Türkiye Denies Direct Talks with SDF, Demands Full Disarmament

Türkiye insists on the dissolution of the SDF, the departure of foreign fighters from Syria, and the integration of remaining members into the new army (Reuters)
Türkiye insists on the dissolution of the SDF, the departure of foreign fighters from Syria, and the integration of remaining members into the new army (Reuters)

Türkiye has denied holding any direct negotiations with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), asserting that no dialogue is possible unless the group dissolves itself and fully disarms.

Omer Celik, spokesperson and deputy chair of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), firmly rejected recent reports and statements suggesting contacts between Turkish authorities and the SDF.

“No official meetings have taken place,” Celik stated Thursday, following a high-level party meeting chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

His comments came in response to a recent interview with SDF commander Mazloum Abdi, who claimed there had been direct contacts and expressed openness to meeting Erdogan. Without naming Abdi directly, Celik dismissed the notion that Türkiye had engaged with the SDF as though it were an independent entity. “It is unacceptable to frame the situation in that way,” he said.

Celik reiterated that any engagement would only be possible if the SDF disbands, lays down its arms, and ends its affiliation with the PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party), which Ankara considers a terrorist organization. “If they disarm, then a meeting could be possible,” he added.

In recent days, several Western media outlets reported that US-mediated talks had taken place between Türkiye and the SDF. These reports claimed the discussions centered on reducing tensions, dissolving the SDF, and implementing a March agreement with the Syrian government that would see SDF fighters integrated into a new Syrian army and hand over ISIS-linked detainees and camps to Damascus.

While some reports hinted at a potential meeting between Abdi and either Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan or intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin, Fidan denied such plans. He confirmed that Türkiye is working with both Washington and Damascus to implement the SDF’s military integration.

Celik also acknowledged an agreement between the SDF and the Syrian government that would see the SDF hand over territory to state control. He stated that all PKK elements, especially those from the YPG (the SDF’s leading faction), must leave the country.

Referring to a May 12 PKK statement titled “Dissolution of the PKK and Disarmament,” Celik stressed that Erdogan had made it clear that all PKK-affiliated structures, including the SDF, must be dismantled and disarmed.

“This is not about opposing Kurdish rights,” Celik concluded. “President Erdogan told Assad years ago: Give Kurds their rights like any other citizens. But we will never allow a terrorist state on our southern border.”