Iraqi Parliament Divided Over Controversial Mandatory Military Service Draft Law

PUKMEDIA

Peshmerga and Iraqi Forces Display Kurdish and Iraqi Flags During Joint Process.

A draft law introducing mandatory military service, widely referred to as the “flag law”, has triggered significant debate within Iraq’s parliament, as well as across legal, political, and public circles. The proposal has sharply divided opinion between supporters and opponents, with several key aspects remaining unresolved, particularly regarding financing and implementation within the Kurdistan Region.

Member of Parliament Pola Shahid Sirwan of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) bloc warned that the draft law fails to address its financial implications, despite plans to enlist hundreds of thousands of young people into military service.

Speaking to PUKMEDIA, Sirwan said the initiative would require substantial state expenditure on salaries, food, housing, and uniforms, at a time when Iraq is already facing a budget deficit estimated at 64 trillion dinars and ongoing difficulties in paying public sector wages.

He cautioned that the law could place “an additional financial burden on the state and potentially deepen the current economic crisis”.

Sirwan also noted that the draft does not clearly define how it would apply to the Kurdistan Region, nor does it include explicit exemptions, despite the Region’s constitutional status and its own institutions, including the Peshmerga forces.

He suggested that implementation mechanisms may be determined at a later stage or that the Region could ultimately be excluded from the law.

Legal experts have also raised questions. Legal advisor Sana Kamal stated that the Kurdistan Region’s constitutional autonomy complicates the issue, raising questions about whether service in the Peshmerga would count towards mandatory national service and which authority—Baghdad or Erbil—would oversee recruitment.

Other lawmakers have argued the timing of the legislation is inappropriate.

Mohammed al-Hasnawi told Al-Sabah newspaper that Iraq should instead focus on strengthening existing security forces and improving its defence infrastructure.

Similarly, Hussein Mu'nis said introducing such a law during a sensitive political and security period was unwise, calling for greater investment in air defence capabilities and military development.

In contrast, Khalid al-Ubaidi, a member of the Security and Defence Committee in the Iraqi parliament, defended the draft law, describing it as a “national necessity” to address manpower shortages within the Iraqi armed forces.

He confirmed that the bill is still at its first reading stage and will undergo further parliamentary debate, including consultations with the Ministry of Defence.

Lawmakers have also stressed the importance of public engagement.

Alaa al-Nashie of the Security and Defence Committee in the Iraqi parliament said the views of both supporters and opponents should be taken into account to ensure a balanced and informed decision-making process.

The proposed legislation, which has been under consideration in the Iraqi parliament since 2021, consists of 66 articles. It stipulates mandatory service for all Iraqis under the age of 45, with durations varying according to educational attainment—from three months for doctorate holders to 18 months for those without formal education.

The draft also includes exemptions for only sons, individuals with chronic illnesses, and sole family providers.

Despite years of discussion, the bill remains unresolved amid ongoing political disagreements and differing constitutional interpretations, particularly regarding its application in the Kurdistan Region.


PUKMEDIA