In a determined move indicating continuous steps for the restoration of national security, the media bureau of Hashd al-Sha’abi, also known as the Popular Mobilization Units, or PMU, said it had deployed forces to reinforce the frontier as part of the Nineveh Sector Operations. This strategic reinforcement falls in difficult weather conditions as a bitter cold wave has swept the region.
This deployment is an important step in guarding the national security interest of Iraq, particularly on the tense border it shares with Syria. The move is thus presented as a precautionary measure that constitutes deterrence against hostile efforts that might be directed at destabilizing Iraq.
The PMU is highly reputed for having freed territorial areas previously in possession of Daesh. It has always iterated that these are vital measures. Such precautionary deployments are seen as necessary in keeping with the promotion of regions of stability and security along the borders of Iraq and Syria, where tensions are high.
The historical context of the PMU’s involvement in securing Iraq is noteworthy. Since November 2016, when the Iraqi parliament granted full legal status to PMU fighters, the group has been recognized as an integral part of the national armed forces. It was by this law enacted by parliament, that the Prime Minister took charge of the PMU but entitled its members to salaries and pensions compared to those of the regular army and police forces.
The measure was thus fundamental not just in acknowledging the role of PMU fighters, but actually in creating a normative framework for their fuller integration into national defense. Measures as such have strengthened PMU capability so that it is enabled to function cohesively with other military entities in Iraq.
The recent developments across the borders of Iraq rather add to the endorsement of such precautionary measures. On the date of November 27, its militants launched a surprise two-pronged attack on the northwest part of the country: the city of Aleppo and the countryside around Idlib. They advanced southward, taking in key cities like Hama, Homs, Dara’a, and Suwayda, and that was supposed to lead them to the capital, Damascus, by December 8, all this happening at a very hasty pace in terms of escalation within the hostilities of the region.
All these events point to an unstable and insecure region and this clearly shows that Iraq needs to add more security to its systems. When viewing this action in the backdrop of this possible ISIS infiltration and instability in the region it becomes possible to analyze why the PMU had to opt for the deployment of additional forces along the frontier.
Most importantly, the prevailing climatic conditions that are prevailing over the area at the moment make such operations even more complicated. Very low temperatures do not only affect the potential of the maneuvers in the war and put the combat forces into a disadvantage but also on the endurance and capability of troops on ground during extreme weather conditions. Nevertheless, all of these problems are still under control, and the PMU carries on its mission of securing the borders of Iraq effectively.
Over time the PMU acts more like solid evidence of the intention of Iraq to protect its territory, and eliminate any possible threat coming from outside. They demonstrate a preventive strategy formulated and implemented in troubled regions that provide security threats and challenges for Iraq at present.
It is also stated that PMU’s actions and strategic anticipation of reinforcement of frontier suggests prospects of Iraq’s overall security structure and preparedness. As global politics develop the necessity of such measures in protection of Iraq’s national interests cannot be overemphasized.
Altogether, the consolidation of Iraq MXed frontiers by the PMU in adverse naturally climate is a notable aspect of the part of the country’s protective plan. This is a noble one given that it charts a course of making sure that only stability is achieved and any signs of trouble desired to be avoided in the future are averted hence protecting the country and its people during tumultuous period.
