1) We @CrisisGroup are publishing a new report today about #Iraq's paramilitary groups, the #Hashd al-Shaabi, and the challenge they pose to the rebuilding of the state. bit.ly/2viHU1Q .../2
2) Iraq’s 3-year battle against ISIS empowered the Hashd, which operate autonomously from state security forces. As Iraq's focus on security decreases, the Hashd, are moving into economic activities and politics; some of their leaders gained seats..../3
3) in the 12 May CoR elections. Rightly praised for their auxiliary role in fighting ISIS, and partly legalised, the Hashd challenge the state’s cohesion and monopoly on legitimate violence. Without a plan to integrate them into formal state institutions.... /4
4) ....they could undermine post-ISIS efforts to build a functioning state and prolong Iraq’s four decades of instability. Iraq’s next government should proceed incrementally: separate security actors from politics and economic activity;.../5
5) provide a short-term role in reconstruction; and strengthen security ministries to render them less dependent on semi-autonomous armed groups. bit.ly/2viHU1Q /END
