NEWS CENTER – Commenting on recent developments in Iraq, academic Kamuran Berwarî said that the country is being divided through international alliances. “Rojava's democratic confederalism offers a model for Iraq. If the people are included in the process, a democratic Iraq can be built,” he stated.

 

Debates have reignited around the "Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) Law," which was first introduced in the Iraqi Parliament in March. The proposed law consists of 18 articles and would elevate the PMF commander to ministerial status, giving them a permanent seat on the National Security Council. It also includes the appointment of senior PMF commanders as deputy ministers.

 

While discussions around the law continue, the recent withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq has shifted the political landscape. Though it appears to be a step back, observers see it as part of a broader strategy to reshape the region—limiting Iran's influence, advancing Israeli long-term interests, and laying the groundwork for new military and political structures under British oversight.

 

‘REGIONAL BALANCE OF POWER IS BEING RESTRUCTURED’

 

Berwarî, based in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, described the U.S. withdrawal as “a warning” and argued that Iraq is being restructured to suit U.S. and Western interests. “Iraq is preparing to submit to the agendas of Israel, the U.S., and the U.K. These powers are initiating a new global order, and the balance in the Middle East is being forcibly altered,” he said. He added that Iran’s broad influence across the region—from Palestine to Yemen and from Lebanon to Iraq—has made it a key target for the U.S. and its allies.

 

‘PMF WILL BE INTEGRATED INTO THE STATE APPARATUS’

 

Berwarî noted that Iraq has largely aligned with U.S. demands, and that the restructuring of the PMF (also known as Hashd al-Shaabi) reflects this compliance. “While the PMF won’t be abolished entirely, it will be transformed. It will be rebranded, integrated into the national army, and its leadership trained under British supervision. However, the PMF will no longer exist as an independent power,” he explained.

 

‘IRAQ IS BEING DIVIDED UNDER NEW AGREEMENTS’

 

Berwarî highlighted that these changes align with long-term Israeli plans for the region, which include ambitions over territories in Palestine, Syria, Jordan, and Iraq. Referring to an agreement reportedly made between Shia leaders and foreign powers, he said: “According to the 12-point deal, 30% of Iraq’s resources will remain in the country, while 50% will go to the U.S., 10% to the U.K., and 10% to Israel. Iraq is now being divided based on these alliance frameworks.”

 

‘ROJAVA OFFERS A DEMOCRATIC MODEL’

 

Berwarî also pointed to future scenarios for Iraq, including a possible tripartite division: Shia, Sunni, and Kurdish regions, with Baghdad as a neutral center. “A federal or even a confederal system could emerge, especially if Iraq’s people take smart, active roles in the process,” he said. 

 

He praised the democratic confederalism practiced in Rojava as a viable model. “But if people are excluded from political decision-making, it will pose a major threat to Iraq’s future. A nation's fate must not be left solely to political elites,” he warned.

 

MA / Zeynep Durgut