Iraq.. An American representative publishes pictures of the Popular Mobilization Forces “defiling” the American flag and comments

US Representative Joe Wilson published pictures showing the Popular Mobilization Forces “desecrating” the American flag, demanding explanations from the Iraqi government. The pictures were published by the US representative on his page on the

He continued: “If you need more evidence that Iraq has become an Iranian province... (The Iraqi government), Zaidi, is this your opinion of America? It is noteworthy that the Popular Mobilization Forces have been increasingly exploited by Iran to strengthen its influence in Iraq, and consist mostly of armed Shiite factions. The Mobilization Forces were founded in 2014 with the emergence of the ISIS organization in Iraq. At that time, the Iraqi government called on Iraqis to volunteer alongside the state forces, bringing new volunteers and existing militias into its ranks. "Popular Mobilization Forces."

The Popular Mobilization Forces played a pivotal role in defeating ISIS and reclaiming Iraqi territory, before officially integrating it into state institutions during 2016. Some of the powerful militias within the Popular Mobilization Forces have close ties to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, and form part of the “axis of resistance” led by Tehran in the region, along with groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and the Houthis in Yemen.

These groups, supported by Tehran, have launched repeated attacks against the United States and its allies in the Middle East.