Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani has approved a decision to reopen coordination offices affiliated with the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) within education directorates across all Iraqi provinces, according to an official document issued by the Iraqi Ministry of Education.

The directive, dated April 6, instructs all education directorates throughout Iraq, including those in Baghdad, to establish offices responsible for coordinating with the PMF and providing the group with logistical support.

According to the ministry’s instructions, two coordinators will be assigned to each education directorate to oversee the implementation of the decision.

The move follows earlier correspondence from the Council of Ministers of Iraq and the administrative body of the PMF, which called for stronger institutional coordination between the paramilitary organization and the country’s education sector.

However, the decision has sparked criticism from political observers and analysts. Iraqi political analyst Yahya al-Kubaisi said the step appears to contradict international pressure—particularly from the United States—to limit or dismantle the role of armed groups operating outside formal state control.

Al-Kubaisi warned that introducing PMF-linked offices into the education system could open the door to ideological influence over school curricula. He suggested the move may promote narratives aligned with Iran.

He described the decision as a potential threat to the neutrality of Iraq’s education system and an indication of deeper institutional challenges within the country.

The Iraqi government has not publicly responded to the criticism.