Pro-Iran Hashd al-Shaabi Witnesses Staggering Surge of 116,000 Members in Two Years, Raising Concerns Over Iraq's Military Expansion
In a startling revelation, the pro-Iran Hashd al-Shaabi, a prominent paramilitary group in Iraq, has experienced a remarkable surge in its ranks, witnessing an astonishing increase of 116,000 members within just two years, according to a statement released on Tuesday.
The exponential growth in the Hashd al-Shaabi's membership highlights the escalating size and influence of this militia, initially formed in 2014 to counter the threat posed by the Islamic State (IS). The collective strength of the Iraqi Armed Forces, including the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Interior, and the Hashd al-Shaabi, now exceeds 1.6 million militiamen. Concerns are mounting regarding the sustainability and implications of this significant expansion.
Political commentator Mukhaled Hazim emphasized the importance of Iraq's stability being rooted in a robust military and security foundation. He stated, "Iraq today requires trained forces and advanced weapons, but these must be supervised by the commander-in-chief of the official armed forces and the government."
With the Iraqi government allocating 15 percent of this year's budget to the security and military sectors, challenges arise in managing the financial burden associated with the surge in military personnel.
Economist Sabah Egeli voiced concerns, noting, "As a result of the increase in troops, the budget will be burdened. There is a need to develop these forces, but increasing the number of military forces is another burden on the budget."
The disclosed 2023 budget for Hashd al-Shaabi includes substantial allocations, with $2.6 billion designated for salaries, over $44.2 million for equipment, $5 million for services, and $10.7 million for equipment repairs.
The Hashd al-Shaabi has been implicated, to some extent, in attacks on US and Global Coalition military installations across Iraq and Syria. Since the commencement of the Iranian-backed militia campaign on October 17, more than 115 such attacks have been reported, raising international concerns about the group's actions and its impact on regional stability.
