Iraq Qasim Mahmoud Muslih | The Middle East news has released a commander aligned with Iran

The release of Muslih without trial is one of many attempts by the government to confront armed groups.

Iraq has released the commander of an armed group aligned with Iran who was arrested in May on terrorism-related charges when authorities failed to find sufficient evidence against him.

Two Iraqi officials said they released Qasim Mahmoud Muslih on Wednesday at 8am (05am GMT).

His supporters greeted him with hugs and kisses in the middle of the Jadriya Bridge in Baghdad, taking photos and videos to celebrate with him.

Muslih, a holy city in southern Karbala, was arrested on 26 May. The military said the allegations were linked to terrorism, but did not provide details.

He is the head of the People’s Mobilization Forces (PMF) in Anbar province.

Security officials told Reuters at the time that the arrest was linked to attacks on U.S. forces stationed in Iraq. Some media outlets and analysts said Mushish was involved in the assassination of pro-democracy peaceful activists.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi has publicly spoken out against Iranian-backed militias and parties, and the arrest of Muslih was a major attempt to regain their power.

Release without trial is one of those efforts and a successful attempt against armed groups.

The two major moves against Iran-backed factions — the arrest of Muslih and the arrest of rocket fighters who took part in rocket fire in June 2020 against U.S. targets — have not been prosecuted and all those arrested have been released.

On two occasions, militants from a large army attacked a green fort in Baghdad, where foreign embassies and government buildings are located, threatening Al-Kadhimi.

After Muslih was arrested, al-Kadhimi held a meeting with important Shiite leaders to appease the enemy. Based on the outcome of the meeting, Muslih was handed over to the PMF.

A commission of inquiry made up of Defense and Home Affairs, National Security and PMF officials was formed to study his case. Muslih was in the custody of the Joint Operations Command during that time. The JOC oversees a number of Iraqi security forces.

On Monday, his case was sent to the PMF investigating judge, who ordered his release.