On the long stretch of the Iraqi–Syrian border, where deserts extend and destinies intertwine, the banners of the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) no longer fly as before. In the past ten days, these militia symbols have been lowered and replaced by the Iraqi national flag; a step widely seen as a message to both domestic and external audiences. Yet such symbolic gestures do not erase the deep anxiety that marks these border areas, where communities live under constant security threats and the ripple effects of regional conflict.
These developments are not isolated; they form part of a wider security reorganisation. While the PMF announced that it was reinforcing its presence along the frontier as part of a new operational plan from the Nineveh Command, subsequent reports indicated that some PMF units were being withdrawn and replaced by Iraqi forces seen as more disciplined and directly accountable to the Prime Minister. The question is whether this represents an Iraqi government effort to put its own house in order and respond to growing regional and international pressure.
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The PMF’s Background
The Popular Mobilisation Forces emerged in 2014 in response to the territorial gains of the so-called Islamic State (ISIS). What began as a coalition of factions evolved into a state-recognised institution, but one still burdened with deep internal divisions. These divisions created a complex structure, combining official legitimacy with transnational loyalties. Such characteristics have shaped the PMF’s conduct, particularly in its posture toward Syria.
Local activists told +963 that the situation on the ground is more complex than official statements suggest. While the PMF insists its reinforcements near the town of Tarifawi, 12 kilometres from the border, aim to ensure security and stability, some studies and local accounts point to extraordinary manoeuvres intended to support Iran’s position in the region. Reports have also circulated, though officially denied by the Iraqi government, that PMF fighters have crossed into Syria.
Mohammed al-Mohammed (a pseudonym), a resident of al-Qaim district on the frontier, told +963: “We live between the hammer of ISIS and the anvil of the PMF. Every day we hear about movements or clashes, and we don’t know who is protecting us from whom. Young men desert service in the PMF, especially new recruits, because they don’t want to fight a war that isn’t ours in Syria. We just want a safe life and a single national army, not dozens of militias flying different banners. The area feels like a military garrison; we feel like strangers in our own land. When we see the Iraqi flag raised instead of other banners, it reassures us a little; but the fear never leaves. We wonder: are we truly on Iraq’s map, or merely a card in a bigger struggle we cannot see?”
A PMF fighter, who requested anonymity, told +963: “We are here to follow orders. Our mission is clear: to secure the border and pursue terrorists. Yes, there are different brigades, but all now follow the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. The change of flags is not merely cosmetic; it is part of reorganisation. I understand why people are afraid; past mistakes provoked the locals. Recently we were instructed to change the banners and increase checkpoints, with more than 30 positions established on the Iraq–Syria border, equipped with heavy weapons and even rocket launchers.”
“As soldiers, we don’t know what the future holds, but we can sense the smell of regional war. Our support from Iran is evident and undeniable, yet the leadership insists we are part of the Iraqi state and here to stay. Some units have been withdrawn and replaced by the so-called Shrine PMF, one of the main components of the force. This cannot be separated from the political and international pressures on Baghdad, particularly from the United States and the international coalition, to limit the influence of factions directly linked to Iran.” He added.
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According to the fighter, this is also a governmental attempt to strengthen internal control within a programme to restructure the security apparatus. The timing, he noted, coincides with rising regional tensions, especially between Iran and the US, prompting Baghdad to reposition its forces to avoid potential strikes.
Regional and International Positions
A senior official in the Syrian Ministry of Defence told +963: “What is happening in Iraq directly affects our national security. We have intensive intelligence and security cooperation with the Iraqi side, working together to track down terrorist remnants on both sides of the border.”
He confirmed that recent military operations in al-Bukamal took place within a security agreement with Baghdad aimed at securing the frontier and curbing smuggling.
“We recognise Baghdad’s efforts to impose control across the widest possible stretch of the border, and we support this. Stability in Iraq means stability in Syria. Yet the presence of Iran-backed military groups along the frontier is concerning and requires careful monitoring. The Iraqi government now stands at a crossroads: it seeks to project sovereignty and state authority by reinforcing the army, but still faces core challenges with the PMF, where defensive tasks often overlap with the external agendas of certain factions. Decision-makers in Baghdad are increasingly aware of these regional transformations and are trying to navigate them in a way that secures Iraqi interests while avoiding sharp alignments.” He added.
This evolving situation raises pressing questions: Will Baghdad succeed in restructuring these forces and consolidating loyalties under the state? Or will transnational networks and de facto power continue to dominate Iraq’s complex security equation?
