Comparing Iraq's Shiite forces to Iran's Basij
While the circumstances of Iran's Basij and Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units share similarities, there were differences in the domestic politics of the countries during the formation of these groups.
![MIDEAST-CRISIS/IRAQ-TIKRIT Hashid Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation) forces allied with Iraqi forces chant slogans against the Islamic State in Tikrit March 30, 2015. Iraqi security forces continued their offensive against Islamic State militants on the outskirts of Tikrit on Monday, in an operation slowed by bombs and booby traps. REUTERS/Alaa Al-Marjani - RTR4VI58](/https/www.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/almpics/2015/05/RTR4VI58.jpg/RTR4VI58.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=ukeWaJ6p)
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