Ya Ali Popular Formations (Arabic: تشكيلات يا علي الشعبية) is a Shia militia group in Iraq. The group has been reported to engage in attacks against Syrians residing in Iraq, particularly those suspected of supporting Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a Sunni Islamist militant and political organization in Syria.
History
A video surfaced showing the group attacking Syrian workers in Iraq. The footage depicted militia members beating and threatening Syrians, accusing them of supporting HTS.[3][4]
In a statement, the group vowed revenge again any person they suspect of celebrating violence against Alawites. The group claimed that the Iraqi government inaction has forced them to "take matters into their own hands".[5] The group also said that it will "pursue all Syrians who support Jolani and expel them from the country."[6]
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani condemned the group's attack, and called it a “shameful acts of violence against a number of Syrian brothers working in Iraq”.[7] He has ordered the formation of a security team to track down people responsible for “committing disgraceful acts of violence” against them".[3] Iraqi security forces have also have arrested at least 13 people for "promoting terrorist groups" and "supporting" mass killings of Syrian Alawities.[2]
Accounts on social media have claimed that the group is affiliated with the Popular Mobilization Forces, Iranian backed paramilitary groups, or the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, a branch of Iranian Armed Forces.[1]
References
- ^ a b "Iran Update, March 12, 2025". Institute for the Study of War. 12 March 2025.
- ^ a b "Iraq's PM orders crackdown following attack on Syrians". Shafaq News. 11 March 2025. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
- ^ a b Mohammed, Ahmed (12 March 2025). "Iraqi PM Orders Probe Into Violence Against Syrian Workers, Vows Accountability". Channel 8. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
- ^ Mahmoud, Sinan. "Militia targets Syrians in Iraq accused of supporting HTS crackdown". The National. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
- ^ Menmy, Taib (11 March 2025). "Fallout from mass killings in Syria's coastal areas seeps into Iraq". The New Arab.
- ^ Durghman, Nader (12 March 2025). "Iraq investigates attacks on Syrian workers". Middle East Eye.
- ^ "Iraq PM sets up security team to tackle Shia militia targeting Syrians who support new gov't". Middle East Monitor. 14 March 2025.