Prominent Iraqi lawyer and feminist activist Zainab Jawad has been arrested by a security force linked to the Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF, or Hashd al-Shaabi) following her outspoken criticism of the militias on social media and television.

Jawad, a well-known human rights advocate, was detained at the Al-Shaab checkpoint in Baghdad while returning from Erbil. Her arrest comes after she publicly condemned the role of Iran-aligned armed groups in Iraq amid the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, including in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

The detention has sparked outrage among activists and civil society organizations, who view it as part of a broader crackdown on dissent in Iraq. Jawad has long been a vocal advocate for women’s and children’s rights, as well as a critic of restrictions on civil liberties. She has also opposed proposed amendments to Iraq’s Personal Status Law, which she argues would erode women’s rights.

Due to her activism, Jawad has faced repeated threats, political pressure, and professional retaliation. She has previously accused powerful political and militia factions of targeting her with death threats and smear campaigns, forcing her to temporarily leave Baghdad. She has also been dismissed from multiple jobs due to political interference.

In a controversial move, the Iraqi Bar Association recently removed Jawad from its list of registered lawyers, citing her criticism of armed factions. She accused the association of suppressing free speech, stating, “The Bar Association has become part of the machinery to suppress freedom of expression. They are using legal institutions to intimidate anyone who dares to speak out.”

The PMF and other Iran-aligned groups have not publicly commented on Jawad’s arrest. Meanwhile, local and international human rights organizations are demanding her immediate release and calling on the Iraqi government to protect activists and uphold freedom of expression.

Jawad’s case highlights the shrinking space for dissent in Iraq, particularly for women who challenge the status quo. As threats against activists escalate, her detention underscores the risks faced by those who speak out against powerful militias and political forces in the country.