SULAIMANI (ESTA) — The military wing of the Sadrist movement has been frozen in Iraq after an order was issued by its leader on Thursday.
Saraya al-Salam or peace Brigades, the military wing of the Sadrist movement led by the Shiite Cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has been frozen after Sadr issued an order, he publicly declared in a statement.
The decision is valid for all forces of Saraya al-Salam except for those that operate in the Salahadin governorate, the statement said.
Saraya al-Salam military group is responsible for securing the Samarra district of the Salahadin governorate, which includes the shrine of two of the 12 revered Shi’ite imams.
It emerged in 2014 during the Islamic State attack, from the Mahdi Army which had fought against U.S. forces since the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
The Peace Brigades has been involved in fights against the Islamic State terrorists, mainly tasked to protect Shiite regions.
After declaring victory over ISIS in 2017, former Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi decided to join the popular armed forces with the army and police formations.
The Brigades are now a part of Popular Mobilization Forces but under the direct command of Al-Sadr, headed by Mustafa Al-Hamidawi.
