Demobilization Minus Disarmament and Reintegration: Iraq’s Security Sector from the US Invasion to the Covid-19 Pandemic

Global key concepts of civil-military cooperation for disaster management in the COVID-19 pandemic—A qualitative phenomenological scoping review

“…In Iran, Revolutionary Guards and the affiliated militia supported the COVID-19 disaster response by building field hospitals and enforcing quarantine ( 61 ).…”

“…Specifically, Iraqi paramilitary units and militia contributed to mitigating the impact of the pandemic by providing logistic support, i.e., transporting medical supplies, personal protective equipment, and food ( 61 ). They supported hygiene measures by sanitizing public spaces, but also covered typical public health activities such as medical information campaigns ( 61 ). Their approach appeared to be comprehensive and covered mental health support to medical personnel and the construction of field hospitals including a 200-bed hospital in Baghdad ( 61 ).…”

“…Of interest, in Iraq, paramilitary forces and militia took over roles and responsibilities that one would expect being led and fulfilled by the government as well as the public health sector. Specifically, Iraqi paramilitary units and militia contributed to mitigating the impact of the pandemic by providing logistic support, i.e., transporting medical supplies, personal protective equipment, and food ( 61 ). They supported hygiene measures by sanitizing public spaces, but also covered typical public health activities such as medical information campaigns ( 61 ).…”

“…They supported hygiene measures by sanitizing public spaces, but also covered typical public health activities such as medical information campaigns ( 61 ). Their approach appeared to be comprehensive and covered mental health support to medical personnel and the construction of field hospitals including a 200-bed hospital in Baghdad ( 61 ). In addition, these groups helped burying the deceased while respecting diverse religious rituals including both Muslim and Christian faith ( 61 ).…”