Sheikh Ali al-Asadi said PMU, also known as Hashd al-Shaabi, is an integral part of Iraq’s social, cultural and civilizational structure, Nujaba’s media office reported.
He referred to a Fatwa (religious edict) by Ayatollah Seyed Ali al-Sistani that has drawn the right framework for the PMU activities and said the Fatwa has blocked attempts by those who seek to foment discord between Hashd al-Shaabi and the government.
The PMU will continue on its path in line with the interests of the Ummah, he went on to say.
The PMU was formed by popular volunteer forces in 2014 after the Daesh terror group launched a campaign of bloodshed and destruction against Iraq.
The group played a major role pushing back and ultimately defeating the terrorist forces which had taken control of a large swathes of the Arab country.
The Iraqi parliament voted to integrate the PMU into the Iraqi military in 2016, effectively placing the force under the command of the prime minister and granting the group a standing similar to that of other branches of Iraqi security forces.
The combined push, which was reinforced by Iraq’s allies, including Iran, ultimately led to Daesh’s expulsion in late 2017.