Baghdad: With the participation of more than 24,000 members, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) have announced the success of their comprehensive plan to secure and facilitate the movement of millions of pilgrims during the Arba'een pilgrimage. PMF Deputy Chief of Staff, Yasser al-Issawi, confirmed the achievement at a press conference, highlighting the involvement of PMF units in securing land and air border crossings, including Shalamcheh, Shib, Zurbatiyah, Mandali, Al-Mundhiriya, and Safwan, to assist pilgrims arriving from outside Iraq. The security and military deployment extended across multiple governorates, ultimately reaching the main headquarters in the holy city of Karbala.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, Major General Ali al-Hamdani, commander of the PMF's Middle Euphrates Operations, emphasized the establishment of three command centers in Diwaniyah, Najaf, and Babylon. These centers were crucial for coordinating efforts with police and provincial leaders. The total force deployed in the Middle Euphrates sector consisted of 24,454 personnel, supported by 1,863 vehicles, including ambulances and water tankers. Additionally, 530 medical, security, and communications detachments secured an expansive area stretching 40,669 kilometers from the border to Karbala.
On a technical front, the PMF utilized 3,424 pieces of equipment, such as thermal cameras, tactical aircraft, radars, and jamming devices, to enhance security at key locations and entry points. The initiative also involved hosting 80 doctors from various ethnic and religious backgrounds, including Christians, Yazidis, Turkmen, Shabaks, Kurds, and Arabs, to provide medical support.
The PMF also organized cultural and service-related activities, deploying 206 preachers, establishing 12 guidance centers and 11 Quranic schools, and arranging 3,395 Husseini gatherings alongside 206 food distribution processions. To further assist pilgrims, millions of free calls were facilitated via the service number (128), and over 1,000 water and ice tankers were deployed to support the processions and pilgrims.