Working alongside researchers at the United Nations University, MEI Senior Research Fellow Dr Fanar Haddad discusses how Popular Mobilisation Units (PMU) in Iraq add to the complexity of the regional conflict. She raises questions of their origins, legitimacy and effectiveness, as well as offers some policy recommendations for the state in approaching these pro-government militias. Read the full publication here.

Image Caption:  Popular Mobilization Forces with Iranian advisors during Hawija offensive in 2017. Photo by Dlshad Anwar, shared on Wikimedia Commons.