Armed factions linked to the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) have vacated several of their headquarters across the Nineveh Plain and fully withdrawn from certain areas. In Diyala province, they have also taken down their flags at some bases and reduced the number of fighters stationed there.
These developments come amid a wave of attacks targeting PMF positions in different parts of Iraq—including Nineveh, Kirkuk, and Anbar—since the start of the Israeli-American conflict with Iran.
Ahmed al-Kiki, head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) bloc in the Nineveh Provincial Council, told KirkukNow that PMF units have pulled back from multiple positions within Nineveh, particularly in the plains. He explained that the 30th and 50th divisions withdrew from areas along the Tel Keif–Batnaya line, which are predominantly Christian communities.
Following their departure, two divisions of the Iraqi Army were deployed in Nineveh to assume control and help maintain security and stability.
On Saturday, March 7, the Security Media Cell reported that one PMF member was killed and three others were wounded in what it described as an “unidentified airstrike.”
The withdrawals come after Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced on March 4 that intelligence officials in the Nineveh Plains Operations Command had been dismissed. The decision followed remarks by Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani expressing concern over recent attacks on Erbil launched from those areas, which he said were still ongoing.
Al-Kiki added that “although the prime minister ordered the dismissals, replacements for the positions have not yet been appointed.”
Khal Ali, a PMF commander, told KirkukNow that there have been no changes to PMF positions in Sinjar and that the situation there remains unchanged since the start of the war. When asked about developments in the Nineveh Plain, he said the matter should be addressed to local units.
Meanwhile, security sources in Diyala province told KirkukNow that armed factions affiliated with the PMF have removed their flags from certain headquarters out of concern that drones could target them.
One source also noted that the PMF has reduced the number of personnel stationed at several bases, including those in Khanaqin.
