An analysis from the perspective of securitization: The Hashd al-Shaabi structure in Iraq

This study has tried to reveal the accuracy of the concept on structuring by examining the Hashd al-Shaabi structuring in Iraq through the concept of securitization. It is a study that explains the changes in the country, especially after 2003, by combining it with the theory of state construction. While talking about the security issues of the country in the process from the birth of non-state armed organizations that benefited from the authority vacuum that occurred during the construction of the state to the formation of the Hashd al-Shaabi organization, political, economic, social and cultural facts about the country were also mentioned. Since the study should be supported historically and geographically, the modern history and geographical structure of Iraq has been explained. In this way, the formation and development of different identities has become better understood. This research consists of three parts. In the first chapter, the theoretical and conceptual framework is given. The link between constructivism and securitization has been established. In this context, besides the definition of the constructivist theory, the security paradigm is explained through the construction of the state. After examining the theories related to security, the Copenhagen School is mentioned and securitization, which is the main theory of the study, is explained. The second part is the part that contains the geographical, demographic and historical data of the Iraqi state. In addition, in the light of the aforementioned data, the pre- and emergence of the Hashd al-Shaabi structuring is explained. In the third chapter, which is the last chapter, the security problems of the Iraqi state are given in chronological order, non-state armed organizations are mentioned, and the details of the structuring, in which the Hashd al-Shaabi organization is an element that needs to be securitized in Iraq, are explained with global and historical examples.