Iraqi government plans 'youth mobilisation' to protect Baghdad

In the midst of rapid security developments and violence hitting the Iraqi capital, the parties in charge of the security of the city are seeking to find a solution and restore security in some areas, especially those hit by bombings.

However, the leaders of the Popular Mobilisation Units (Hashd al-Sha'bi) are exploiting these circumstances to further their own agenda under the pretext of safeguarding security.

Saadoun al-Rubaie, a military official overseeing operations in Baghdad, told al-Araby al-Jadeed that "the Operations Command has stepped up its meetings recently to remedy the security crisis in the capital".

"The command has held meetings with commanders in all sectors of Baghdad as well as leaders in the Popular Mobilisation, and has developed a plan to recruit youths from the regions targeted by the Islamic State group (IS) recently into the ranks of the Popular Mobilisation," al-Rubaie added.

The military official said the youths would undergo 30 days of training at centres overseen by Popular Mobilisation commanders, during which they would learn combat and security skills.

"They will receive identification cards issued by the Popular Mobilisation and permits to bear arms, in addition to monthly wages," al-Rubaie explained.

Rubaei further said that the young recruits would be deployed in the markets, and assigned to monitor their regions and intervene to fight terrorists. Al-Rubaei explained that "the plan would be implemented first in the areas targeted by IS, including Sadr City, Kadhimiya, and New Baghdad".

"Impracticable idea"

Saad Hamed, member of the Security Committee in the Baghdad Provincial Council, downplayed any positive effect for the plan on Baghdad’s security.

He told al-Araby al-Jadeed, "protecting the security of the capital requires serious intelligence efforts and modern scanners to detect explosives". "Relying on youths to monitor and intercept terrorists before they carry out bombings is an impracticable idea," he added.

Hamed also warned against arming youths, especially in the slums, saying this could cause many problems. He then called on security officials to address the heart of the problem and refrain from such "dangerous solutions".

In turn, member of the West Baghdad Tribal Council, Sheikh Mekhlef Zubai, criticised the plan for "militarizing" Baghdad’s residents and expanding the power of the Popular Mobilisation Units on a sectarian basis. 

Speaking to al-Araby al-Jadeed, Zubai said that "one of the most dangerous areas in Baghdad is Abu Ghraib, which is seeing daily violence, and yet it is not going to be armed as part of the plan".

Zubai accused the Popular Mobilisation of controlling and deciding on security throughout Iraq. He also called on Iraqi Prime Minister to intervene and stop these plans, which he said only serve the militias’ narrow agenda.

The Popular Mobilisation Units have been reportedly recruiting young people from all over Iraq on a sectarian basis, including school students in the southern provinces. Security observes have raised the alarm about this move and warned against its implications for security in the country.