Pentagon: Iranian-backed Iraqi Militias Have Used American Tanks

Eric Pahon, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense, stated on Friday, February 9, that Iranian-backed Shiite militias have used American "Abrams" tanks sold to the Iraqi army in battles against the Islamic State (ISIS). According to the Associated Press, Pahon clarified that these militias later returned the tanks to Iraqi security forces. The Pentagon spokesperson emphasized that the "Abrams M1" tanks have been sold to the Iraqi army over the past decade. The report indicates that the Shiite militia forces known as Hashd al-Shaabi, which are considered part of Iraq's security forces, utilized these tanks in their fight against ISIS fighters. Pahon stated: "We have been informed that some American equipment, including the 'Abrams M1' tanks, has been in the possession of Hashd al-Shaabi militias. These militias used these tanks in battles against ISIS fighters." The Pentagon spokesperson reiterated that all this equipment has recently been returned to Iraqi security forces. Pahon also mentioned that the Pentagon will continue to monitor American equipment in Iraq to ensure that these weapons remain in the hands of designated recipients. The Islamic State group rapidly seized large areas of western Iraq, particularly the city of Mosul, in 2014, where its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared a caliphate. Iraqi forces, supported by a U.S.-led coalition, gradually regained all territories held by ISIS. Hashd al-Shaabi, or the "Popular Mobilization Forces," which mainly consists of Shiite militias supported by Tehran, was recognized by the Iraqi parliament in December 2016 as a reserve force for the army and police of the country. These forces played a significant role in recapturing the important and strategic city of Mosul last July. Muqtada al-Sadr, leader of the Shiite Sadrist movement in Iraq, has repeatedly called for the dissolution of Hashd al-Shaabi, stating that the existence of these forces outside the framework of the government "causes major problems and negative consequences." Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, also called for the dissolution of the Shiite militia group in Iraq in December of this year. Macron stated: "It is very important that especially the Hashd al-Shaabi group, which has taken root in Iraq over the past few years, be gradually dissolved, and this should happen for all militia groups."