Baghdad – The PMF June salaries have finally been distributed, ending a delay that stirred concern among Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces members. This development arrives after criticism from lawmakers and worries among paramilitary personnel.
On Tuesday, the PMF’s finance and administration department issued a statement confirming the release of the delayed payments. They announced that salaries would be accessible at designated payment outlets. The statement also shared a link to a map showing all available payment locations, helping members find the nearest point.
Meanwhile, a separate statement from the PMF Commission explained the delay resulted from a technical issue. This problem stemmed from transitioning the payment system to a new platform. The commission assured members that this disruption affected only June’s salary cycle. “The responsible authorities have begun distributing salaries and will continue through the coming days, including weekends and holidays, until next Sunday,” the statement said.
Furthermore, the commission promised to increase the number of payment outlets soon. They urged personnel to avoid overcrowding and cooperate to ensure a smooth, accurate payment process. The PMF will soon provide a special online link to help members whose bank cards were rejected resolve their cases individually.
The commission also rejected rumors that sanctions caused the delay. It stated, “We deny false claims about penalties on companies handling salary payments. All salaries remain fully secured, and nothing legally or administratively blocks their release.”
The delay came after the PMF switched from Rafidain Bank to Al-Nahrain Bank. During this transition, the PMF issued new bank cards to its members. This disruption marked the first missed payday since the PMF officially joined Iraq’s formal security forces.
The missed payments sparked concern among lawmakers and commanders. Lawmaker Alaa Al-Haidari questioned the fairness of the delay, asking if fighters deserved to remain uncertain about their salary status. Additionally, Meitham Al-Zaidi, commander of the Abbas Division, hinted that U.S. financial pressures might have influenced the situation. He cited warnings from the U.S. Treasury and Federal Reserve to Iraqi financial institutions regarding their intermediaries.
Formed in 2014 to fight ISIS, the Popular Mobilization Forces operate under Iraq’s prime minister but include factions with strong ties to Iran and varying autonomy levels.
In conclusion, the PMF restored the June salaries, bringing relief to paramilitary personnel. This effort improves payment systems and helps maintain stability within Iraq’s security forces.
