PM Al-Sudani, Secretary Rubio discuss PMF regulation
Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani emphasized the need to fully integrate the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) into the country’s formal military structure during high-level talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday.
According to the Prime Minister’s office, the draft law regulating the PMF—recently passed by parliament—brings the force under the same legislative framework as Iraq’s National Intelligence and National Security services. Al-Sudani underscored that the PMF remains under the authority of the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, affirming that its institutional integration is “essential for maintaining national unity and security.”
The two officials also addressed the recent wave of attacks targeting oil facilities in the Kurdistan Region, Saladin, and Kirkuk provinces. Both sides described the assaults as deliberate strikes against Iraq’s economic lifelines and warned of their potential to destabilize regional security and undermine national revenues.
Al-Sudani reaffirmed his government’s commitment to de-escalation efforts and ceasefire arrangements across conflict zones in Iraq. He reiterated Baghdad’s support for dialogue-driven approaches to ease tensions and maintain security in cooperation with international partners.
On the economic front, the Prime Minister pointed to a federal cabinet decision requiring the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to transfer both oil and non-oil revenues to the federal treasury. He said the move is based on provisions in the 2024 Budget Law and reinforced by a Federal Supreme Court ruling, describing it as a step toward resolving long-standing financial disagreements with Erbil.
The meeting concluded with discussions on reactivating crude oil exports via the Iraq–Turkiye pipeline, which has been suspended since March 2023. Al-Sudani and Rubio reviewed Baghdad’s plans to restart the flow, prevent smuggling, and strengthen oversight of Iraq’s natural resources through a transparent and lawful framework.
The officials also examined recent attacks on oil facilities across the Kurdistan Region, Saladin, and Kirkuk provinces, characterizing them as “assaults on Iraq’s economy,” further posing threats to vital revenues and Regional stability.
In response, al-Sudani reaffirmed Baghdad’s support for regional ceasefires and ongoing efforts to ease tensions through de-escalation measures.
Turning to internal fiscal matters, the prime minister drew attention to a cabinet decision requiring the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to transfer oil and non-oil revenues to the federal treasury, noting that this follows the 2024 Budget Law and a Federal Supreme Court ruling aimed at resolving longstanding financial disputes with Erbil.
The conversation concluded with plans to resume crude exports through the Iraq–Turkiye pipeline, which has been inactive since March 2023, along with renewed measures to prevent smuggling and safeguard Iraq’s natural resources.
