[Iraq] State bank starts paying PMF salaries after delays from financial channel disruptions

In Iraq, state-owned Rafidain Bank has announced the release of delayed salaries for members of the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), after mounting public pressure and allegations of US interference in the country's financial networks, The New Arab reports.

Rafidain Bank's media office confirmed that payments have now been made available across Rafidain branches in Baghdad and other provinces. 

The confirmation reportedly follows a two-week delay, which left more than 200,000 PMF personnel without pay and led to social media campaigns with hashtags such as "Where Are the PMF Salaries?" and "Where Are the Wages?"

The pay delay was the first disruption of PMF salary payments since the force was formally recognised by the Iraqi state in 2016 under Law No. 40. PMF fighters are entitled to the same pay and benefits as Iraqi Army soldiers, and salaries are typically disbursed via Qi Card, Iraq's largest electronic payment service provider.

Iraqi officials initially blamed a "technical issue" stemming from a change in payroll systems, but PMF figures have reportedly pointed to direct US pressure on Iraq's payment infrastructure. Abbas Division commander Maytham al-Zaidi stated in a video message that the Qi Card company had withdrawn from handling PMF salaries after receiving a formal warning from the US Treasury Department, fearing sanctions.

Supporting his claims, the PMF's financial office reportedly issued a statement confirming that payments would soon resume through additional authorised outlets, even on public holidays, as the payroll system transitions from Rafidain Bank to Al-Nahrain Bank. 

The statement emphasised that the delay was due to "technical adjustments" aimed at strengthening financial safeguards. It denied any legal or administrative obstacles to payment.

Source: The New Arab

(Link via original reporting)

In Iraq, state-owned Rafidain Bank has announced the release of delayed salaries for members of the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), after mounting public pressure and allegations of US interference in the country's financial networks, The New Arab reports.

Rafidain Bank's media office confirmed that payments have now been made available across Rafidain branches in Baghdad and other provinces. 

The confirmation reportedly follows a two-week delay, which left more than 200,000 PMF personnel without pay and led to social media campaigns with hashtags such as "Where Are the PMF Salaries?" and "Where Are the Wages?"

The pay delay was the first disruption of PMF salary payments since the force was formally recognised by the Iraqi state in 2016 under Law No. 40. PMF fighters are entitled to the same pay and benefits as Iraqi Army soldiers, and salaries are typically disbursed via Qi Card, Iraq's largest electronic payment service provider.

Iraqi officials initially blamed a "technical issue" stemming from a change in payroll systems, but PMF figures have reportedly pointed to direct US pressure on Iraq's payment infrastructure. Abbas Division commander Maytham al-Zaidi stated in a video message that the Qi Card company had withdrawn from handling PMF salaries after receiving a formal warning from the US Treasury Department, fearing sanctions.

Supporting his claims, the PMF's financial office reportedly issued a statement confirming that payments would soon resume through additional authorised outlets, even on public holidays, as the payroll system transitions from Rafidain Bank to Al-Nahrain Bank. 

The statement emphasised that the delay was due to "technical adjustments" aimed at strengthening financial safeguards. It denied any legal or administrative obstacles to payment.

Source: The New Arab

(Link via original reporting)