Shiite Militias: Their Role in Assault on Iraq's Fallujah

Iraq's Shiite militias have so far been operating on the periphery of jihadist-held Fallujah but their role in the battle to retake the city has been the center of attention.

Officially, they fight under the umbrella of the Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization) paramilitary force and the prime minister's command, but their participation in the operation was the subject of controversy even before it began.

- Who are they?

A myriad of different militias have been involved in the Fallujah operation launched on May 22-23, among them the country's most powerful groups, such as Badr, Ketaeb Hezbollah and Asaib Ahl al-Haq.

Those groups are often described as answering directly to Tehran but other Shiite militias with looser ties to Iran are also involved, including several groups considered close to Iraq's Marjaiyah -- or Shiite religious leadership.

Local Sunni tribal militias also fight under the Hashed al-Shaabi umbrella.

A spokesman put the number of Hashed al-Shaabi fighters involved at the beginning of the operation at 30,000.

- What is their role?

They have played a leading role in the first phase of the offensive on the Islamic State group's bastion, clearing areas around Fallujah, cutting supply lines and sealing the siege of the city.

They have retaken areas that had still been under IS control, such as Garma and Saqlawiya.

The task they were assigned is almost completed and in some recently retaken areas, the Hashed al-Shaabi forces have started handing over to the army and the police.

- Why so controversial?

Some militias have been accused of sectarian violence against Sunni civilians during previous operations, and their involvement in an offensive against one of IS's most emblematic strongholds in the Sunni province of Anbar is seen as potentially explosive.

While leaders have by and large been cautious to avoid inflammatory statements, the idea that fighting in the Fallujah area is an opportunity to avenge recent car bomb attacks in Baghdad is commonly heard among the rank and file.

- What is their impact?

The Hashed al-Shaabi is arguably the most powerful armed force in Iraq, with around 60,000 registered fighters. Although breaching operations are generally left to the elite counter-terrorism service, they have notched up significant victories since 2014.

But the human rights record of some militias, their ties to Iran and their involvement in attacks against U.S. troops and targets in the past makes them an unpalatable partner for the US-led coalition providing decisive air support.

- Abuses in Fallujah?

Various Sunni politicians from Anbar, where Fallujah is located, have accused militia groups of mistreating or torturing Sunni civilians in the course of the operation, although few details were provided.

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has responded to the concerns of the United Nations and human rights groups by promising that any violations would be investigated and prosecuted.

- Will they stick to their role?

The government has stated clearly that Hashed al-Shaabi forces were in a support role for the second phase of the Fallujah offensive and not meant to enter the city center, where tens of thousands of civilians are still trapped.

Yet the Hashed al-Shaabi's powerful military commander, Abu Mahdi al-Mohandis, said on Sunday that his men would move in if operations dragged on.