Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) are intervening in the violence-plagued southern province of Basra, where demonstrators have been staging mass protests over a lack of public services, the poor economy and alleged corruption among public officials.

Protesters on Sept. 7 stormed the PMU office in Basra and set fire to many government buildings, including the Iranian Consulate. The next day, the PMU leadership issued a statement that read, “The deteriorating security situation in Basra calls for the need to protect its people, and the PMU will deal with [the saboteurs] just like it dealt with Islamic State [IS] militants during [previous] battles.” It added, “Ending the security unrest and protecting the lives of citizens is a national and legitimate duty.”

The PMU is an umbrella organization for dozens of mostly Shiite militias, many of which are backed by Iran. Iran and the United States are competing for leverage as Iraq tries to form a new Cabinet, with the United States preferring current Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who is seeking a second term. PMU leaders believe their group is a key force in the war against terrorism, as they largely contributed to the defeat of IS, which invaded Iraq and took over a third of its land in 2014.

PMU deputy head Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis blames Iraq's current government for the Basra situation.