DUBAI, UAE - After weeks of delay, the Iraqi parliament is set to break a legislative deadlock on Monday with the first reading of a controversial bill concerning the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF).

The proposed draft bill approved by the Council of Ministers last month includes the Service and Retirement Law for the PMF and aims to organize the Popular Mobilization Authority similarly to other state security and military agencies.

The amendments have forced Iraqi lawmakers into a heated headlock. While supporters argue that the legislation is necessary to formalize and regulate the PMF, others see it as an attempt to sideline current leaders and weaken the institution. 

While some political blocs affirm a consensus to pass the legislation, others have expressed reservations that could complicate its progress.

The State of Law Coalition, led by former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, and Sadiqoun, are among the strongest backers of the PMF law. Both blocs have previously boycotted parliamentary sessions to protest the exclusion of the bill from the legislative agenda, leading to quorum issues.

The State of Law Coalition has expressed confidence that the legislation will move forward, citing a political agreement among various factions.

“There is a political agreement to expedite the passage of the PMF law to ensure the rights of its fighters. This agreement was reached during the latest meeting of the Coordination Framework,” Arif al-Hamami, a lawmaker from the Coalition, told The New Region on Sunday.

He added that the draft law submitted to parliament does not, according to available information, include a provision on the retirement age for PMF commanders. 

However, he noted that “this matter will also be discussed within Parliament after the first and second readings, but things are moving toward passing the law soon.”

Despite the apparent consensus, some lawmakers have raised concerns over the law’s content, particularly regarding the retirement age of PMF leadership.

“We have not yet officially reviewed the new law submitted by the Iraqi government after withdrawing the previous version. It will be examined during the first reading session tomorrow, Monday,” said Rafiq al-Salhi, a member of the Sadiqoun parliamentary bloc.

He noted that preliminary information suggests the law does not include a mandatory retirement age for PMF commanders, which he argued is “a violation of the existing laws.”

“We will work on adding this provision through the relevant parliamentary committees,” Salhi said. “There is a parliamentary majority supporting this, and it is not intended as a personal attack on any individual. Rather, we seek to regulate the work of the PMF under the laws governing other state institutions, whether military or civilian.”

The PMF or Hashd al-Shaabi was formed upon a call by Iraq’s top Shiite authority Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani soon after the Islamic State (ISIS) took over large swathes of territory in Iraq. The force has been officially incorporated into the regular Iraqi defense forces, enjoying similar privileges as the Iraqi army.