Why Was The Hashd Bill Withdrawn From Iraq’s Parliament

In late August Iraq’s parliament withdrew the Hashd bill. This led to wild speculation that this was due to U.S. pressure. However the ruling Coordination Framework was so divided over the issue that it was not going to be passed any time soon.

 

On August 22 the Hashd bill was pulled from parliament. Al Masalah reported this was due to deep disagreements between the ruling Coordination Framework and Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani. Parliamentarian Hadi al-Salami said this had nothing to do with U.S. opposition to the law.

 

A few days later however the narrative completely changed and everyone was talking about the Trump Administration. Mukhalad Hazim an advisor to parliament was quoted in Bas News that the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq warned that if the bill passed there would be sanctions imposed on Iraq and American troops would withdraw. Parliamentarians Arif al-Maamaori and Mohammed al-Shammari voiced the same opinion.

 

The bill has been controversial since it was introduced and was actually withdrawn before in February and March. A point of contention was whether Hashd Commission head Falah Fayad would maintain his position or not. Badr and other members of the Coordination Framework supported him while State of Law and Asaib Ahl Al-Haq were against him but they gave in under Iranian pressure.

 

There were also arguments about what age Hashd fighters should retire. Many groups want a later age because that would mean maintaining their followers. Parties that don’t have their own armed factions probably have a different opinion.

 

Another issue was how many Hashd would be maintained. There is no real insurgency anymore so the need for thousands of fighters is not necessary. Despite that the number of fighters has continuously increased from 122,000 to 238,000 by 2023. Today they largely serve as patronage. That is the main reason why State of Law and Asaib Ahl Al-Haq have been the bill’s main supporters.

 

The bill is too important to the Coordination Framework to die. Therefore, it will likely return to parliament sometime. There could be an impetus to pass it before the November election because then positions could be handed out to get votes. Then again, Iraq’s parliament has done very little this term and there is no real way to get over Washington’s opposition to the law.

 

SOURCES

 

Al Aalem, “Disagreements over the Mobilization Law deepen … and there is no political agreement to pass it,” 2/19/25

- “On an unannounced visit to… Al-Fayad in Tehran and the Popular Mobilization file tops his discussion,” 2/18/25

- “Retirement age deepens the differences over the Mobilization Law and postpones it until after Ramadan,” 2/24/25

 

Bas News, “Some Shia Factions Drop Hashd Bill Under US Pressure,” 8/27/25

- “Washington Threatens Sanctions if PMF Bill Passes: Official,” 8/26/25

 

Al Mada, “New Popular Mobilization Law: Al-Fayad to Remain, Military Academy for Mujahideen,” 3/27/25

- “The Prime Minister disappoints the leaders of the Framework and withdraws the Mobilization Law from Parliament,” 3/13/25

 

Mahmoud, Sinan, “Iraq moves to give PMF greater role in state security,” The National, 3/25/25

- “Iraqi government gives in to US pressure and withdraws will regulating PMF militias," The National, 8/27/25

 

Al Masalah, “Behind the scenes of withdrawing the Popular Mobilization Law: No external pressure, but rather an internal conflict obstructing the decision," 8/22/25