Conflicting reports have emerged regarding the release of Qasim Muslih, a leader in the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) accused of terrorism. An Iraqi security source stated on Monday that Muslih was released based on a judicial decision due to insufficient evidence. The source informed local media that the detention of Qasim Muslih, the commander of PMF operations in Anbar, was deemed unjustifiable owing to a lack of evidence related to his involvement in assassination crimes.
Sources within the PMF confirmed Muslih's release. He was arrested by Iraqi security forces on May 26 under a court-issued warrant as part of anti-terrorism laws, which provoked anger among factions within the PMF. They surrounded several locations, including the building of the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers in the heavily fortified Green Zone in central Baghdad.
Reports indicated that "Muslih will meet later today with PMF leaders in Baghdad to celebrate his release." This move was seen as an attempt to pressure the government into releasing him.
Political sources in Iraq clarified that Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi rejected pressures from Shiite factions and threats from Iran-aligned militias to release the PMF operations commander in Anbar, stressing adherence to the law and avoiding leading the government into chaos. Kadhimi faced pressures following the arrest of Muslih and other elements loyal to Iran.
During a Cabinet meeting, Kadhimi reaffirmed his government's position on controlling recent security volatility and dealing wisely with last week's military display by militia elements in the Green Zone. Former Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi proposed an initiative to resolve the crisis between the government and the PMF, called "the National Hashd," urging the government and political forces to discuss and adopt it to address existing issues.
Abadi's initiative emphasized the necessity of maintaining the PMF and rejecting attempts to dissolve, demonize, or criminalize it. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi highlighted during the National Security Council meeting the importance of reinforcing the loyalty of security forces to the nation.
