Abadi on Thursday, March 8, issued a decree regarding the Shia paramilitary groups known as the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF).

Hashid al-Shaabi fighters will be granted many of the same rights as members of the military, according to the decree. They will also receive the same salaries as the members of the security forces under control of the Ministry of Defense, NRT reported.

PMF fighters will be subject to the laws of military service and will gain access to military institutes and colleges, the decree said.

The various forces within Hashid al-Shaabi can field a total of between 60,000 and 140,000 fighters.

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