Iraq to lay off some paramilitary forces due to shortage of funds
The Iraqi government has decided to cut the number of state-financed paramilitary forces due to a shortage of funds as the international oil price declines, a spokesman for a leading militia group said on Thursday. Karim al-Nouri, the spokesman for the Popular Mobilization Forces, an umbrella group made up predominantly of Shia militias, told The Associated Press that […]The Iraqi government has decided to cut the number of state-financed paramilitary forces due to a shortage of funds as the international oil price declines, a spokesman for a leading militia group said on Thursday. Karim al-Nouri, the spokesman for the Popular Mobilization Forces, an umbrella group made up predominantly of Shia militias, told The Associated Press that around 30 percent of paramilitary troops were expected to be laid off. Some 130,000 fighters in Iraq are affiliated with pro-government paramilitary forces.
Al-Nouri added that the decision would not affect the fight against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), which controls areas in northern and western Iraq. He said the cuts will also cover non-combat troops providing administrative and logistical support. He did not give details on the how many combat troops will be laid off.
