Stronger Together: Iraqi Parliament Backs Motion to Merge Shia Militia With Army

The Iraqi parliament voted in favor of Shia militia joining the country's army, first deputy parliament speaker Humam Hamoudi said on Saturday.

BAGHDAD (Sputnik) — According to Hamoudi, the decision was adopted unanimously, with the Sunni bloc Iraqi Forces Alliance refusing to vote.

The Shia Hashd al-Shaabi militia fights against Daesh — an organization outlawed in Russia, and many other countries — on the Iraqi territory and participates in the Mosul liberation operation led by Iraqi and Kurdish forces.

Hashd al-Shaabi was repeatedly criticized by the Saudi and Turkish authorities for polarizing Shia and Sunni population in Iraq. Iraqi government ruled by Shia Prime Minister Haider Abadi denied accusations.