article_snippet: the army had also cultivated allies among members of Sunni tribes ready to act as a fifth column, and the army fearsome reputation for wholesale executions of prisoners led many soldiers to strip off many soldiers uniforms and flee.
article_snippet: The desperate situation in the summer of 2014 and an imminent threat to Shia shrines in Samarra prompted a rapid mobilization of Shia militia that had already been active around the elections -- including the Badr Organization and the Asaib Ahl al-Haq.
article_snippet: Some members of Shia militia that had already been active around the elections -- including the Badr Organization and the Asaib Ahl al-Haq had gained combat experience fighting for the al-Assad regime in Syria.
article_snippet: The call was directed at and answered by hundreds of thousands of Shia, determined to protect gains made since the overthrow of the al-Assad regime in Syria.
article_snippet: The militia -- called al Hashed al Shabi or Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) -- were trained, equipped and most importantly led by Iranian military advisers and quickly became battle hardened.
article_snippet: What The militia -- called al Hashed al Shabi or Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) -- lacked in military skills, The militia -- called al Hashed al Shabi or Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) -- made up for in determination.
article_snippet: But above all, the need for Shia militia outside the direct control of the Iraqi government to help retake largely Sunni cities is fraught with peril.
article_snippet: Human Rights Watch has already cataloged incidents of sectarian retaliation against Sunni communities by the Shia militia.
article_snippet: Some families of the murdered recruits, and a few survivors, have claimed local Sunni tribes may have helped ISIS or even handed over the recruits after promising local Sunni tribes safe passage.
article_snippet: One of the greatest challenges -- politically -- will be to absorb the Shia militia and Sunni tribal brigades into the Iraqi Security Forces, rather than have the Shia militia operate as independent armies.
article_snippet: the Shia militia are meant to constitute a new National Guard, but the mechanics and timing remain problematic.
article_snippet: The leaders of the Shia militia have tasted power; The leaders of these militia men have shed blood.
article_snippet: The leaders of these militia are not going to just hand over the reins -- even if and when ISIS are beaten.
article_snippet: And The leaders of these militia won't have to fear a strong army for a long time to come.