Sheikh Al-Khazali: The Popular Mobilization Forces must have legal legislation and continuous care to ensure its stability and development.
03 March 2025
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The General Secretary of the Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq, His Eminence Sheikh Qais Khazali, confirmed on Sunday that the Popular Mobilization Forces are considered one of the important national institutions that represent a symbol of giving and sacrifice, stressing the necessity of providing all means of stability and growth for this institution.
Sheikh Al-Khazali said in a televised interview that the Popular Mobilization Forces carry within them a special and great sanctity as a result of the sacrifices and achievements they have made for the benefit of Iraq, pointing out that preserving this institution requires enacting a special law for it, just as special laws have been enacted for the rest of the security institutions in the country, such as the Counter-Terrorism Service, Intelligence, and National Security, stressing that this matter includes providing rights and guarantees for members of the Popular Mobilization Forces.
His Eminence added that some parties are trying to stand in the way of this project and direct it towards personal issues, wondering about the reason for focusing on the issue of the retirement age of the head of the Popular Mobilization Authority, considering that this is not correct because the Mobilization must be viewed as a whole and not only through the person of the head of the Authority.
Sheikh Al-Khazali addressed the issue of applying state laws to all its employees, including the Popular Mobilization Forces, stressing the necessity of respecting and adhering to these laws by everyone, noting that Iraq is a constitutional country, and it is important to adhere to the laws, including the Service and Retirement Law, which stipulates that an employee cannot continue in service after exceeding the age of 65 years, considering that this applies to all state institutions without exception.
His Eminence also explained that the Popular Mobilization Forces have a jihadist specificity that must be preserved, and that it is better for the leader of the Mobilization Forces to be from within the institution itself, to carry the culture of the Mobilization Forces and the knowledge specific to volunteering and confrontation.
Regarding the discussions on extending the term of the head of the commission, Sheikh Al-Khazali stressed that it is unacceptable to use this issue in political or electoral areas, but rather the issue must remain purely legal, noting that the laws governing the retirement age are part of the state system to which everyone is committed.
His Eminence also stressed the necessity of giving priority to the interests of the Popular Mobilization Forces and the Iraqi people in general over personal or political interests, stressing that respect for laws must be the basis of political and governmental work in Iraq.