Pro-Iran line of Iraq's Hashed challenged by internal dissent A growing fissure pits the vast Iran-aligned wing of the Hashed al-Shaabi network against four factions linked to the shrines of Iraq’s twin holy cities, Karbala and Najaf. Sunday 13/12/2020 Supporters of Hashed al-Shaabi demonstrate in the southern Iraqi city of Basra on October 17, 2020. (AFP) BAGHDAD – Around the corner from Iraq’s holiest shrines, a years-long struggle over allegiances and resources is coming to a head — threatening a deep schism within the powerful Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation Forces) network. The growing fissure pits the vast Iran-aligned wing of the Hashed al-Shaabi against four factions linked to the shrines of Iraq’s twin holy cities, Karbala and Najaf.