According to Eric Davis, professor of Middle East politics at Rutgers University, "They get some salary, they get a rifle, they get a uniform, they get the idea of belonging, protection … See more

Nouri al-Maliki asked political parties to dismantle their militias on 5 October 2006. He also stressed that militias are "part of the government", that there is a "political solution", and finally … See more

• Private military company in Iraq
• Popular Mobilization Forces See more

• Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq عصائب الحق
• Saraya al-Khorasani سرايا طليعة الخراساني
• Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada كتائب سيد الشهداء
• Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba حركة حزب الله النجباء See more

Support
Due to the collapse of some segments of the Iraqi Army under the Islamic State offensive, the activity of the militias fighting the group is largely supported by the Shia majority in the country, and many among the Sunni minority. See more

• IRAQ - PRIVATE MILITIAS MAY KEEP A ROLE| 25-MAY-04| NEW YORK TIMES| Despite pledges by the U.S. military to disband private militias in Iraq, American officials now seem to be resigned to working with them
• See more