RNA – Shaykh Akram al-Ka’bi, the secretary-general of the Hezbollah al-Nujaba Islamic Resistance group spoke on Iran’s Channel 2, on Wednesday, August 31 and stated “My trip to Iran a great purpose. It is my responsibility to express my ultimate gratitude to Iranian people, officials, authorities and Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei, for their invaluable support.”
He added, “During our meeting with Iranian officials, we spoke about the latest changes in Iraq and Syria and they advised me a great deal.”
In regard to the positions of the Islamic Resistance groups in Iraq he said, “There are many resistance groups in Iraq which together form the Popular Mobilization Forces.”
Shaykh al-Ka’bi stressed that “Resistance groups in Iraq are popular and precious to people. Among the most important are al-Nujaba, Asa’ib Ahlul-Haqq, Kata’ib Hezbollah and Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada.”
He added, “The Popular Mobilization Forces was formed by the fatwa issued by the sources of emulation. Many members of the Resistance groups are in the Popular Mobilization Forces and because of their experience in fighting the Americans, they have great military capabilities.”
The Iraqi Shi’a scholar expressly stated his policy and said “Resistance groups are supported by Iran and have had many achievements so far in fighting Daesh.”
Speaking on legal position of the Popular Mobilization Forces, he clarified, “The Popular Mobilization Forces was in contact with Iraqi Prime Minister since its very formation, and he granted legality to this group. Each Resistance group in the Popular Mobilization Forces has its own distinctive characteristics and they are different from other groups regarding military trainings and jihadi ideology from other military forces in Iraq.”
Remarking on the merging of the Popular Mobilization Forces, he said, “The Popular Mobilization Forces’ merging has to follow a special procedure. It is a wrong decision if they merge but lose their distinctive characteristics.”
He said that “the operation to liberate Mosul will begin in near future” and added, “The operation to liberate Mosul is a decisive one. I cannot disclose the exact time of this operation but it is going to be in near future. Mosul is located in northern Iraq and in the beginning of the changes, Daesh occupied this city and reached the borders of Karbala and Baghdad. The efforts to liberate Mosul was begun early but Western and Arab countries, and some politicians caused this operation to be delayed.”
Shaykh al-Ka’bi added, “We believe that the Popular Mobilization Forces must fight alongside Iraqi Army in the operation to liberate Mosul. We are reluctant to take part in this operation and those who oppose our participation have separatist purposes.”
Speaking about West’s attempts to stop the Popular Mobilization Forces’ participation, he clarified, “Western countries, especially the US, do not want the Popular Mobilization Forces to participate because they know that our presence in Mosul will ruin their colonial plans and will not let these countries establish permanent military bases in Iraq again and threaten the integrity of this country.”
He added, “Currently, Turkish military forces are present around Mosul and they have occupied some areas in northern Iraq. Also some countries supported this action. This is why we insist on the Popular Mobilization Forces’ presence in Mosul.”
Shaykh al-Ka’bi remarked, “The Iraqi Prime Minister has decided that the Popular Mobilization Forces will take part in the operation to liberate Mosul too, and we will do so.”
Speaking about the operation to liberate Mosul he stated, “After the liberation of Mosul, we will face some security, cultural, and political issues in Iraq. Some people have been misled by Daesh and need to be reintroduce to true Islam. We are responsible in ideological purification of Mosul. Sunni scholars, clergymen, and villagers are also responsible in enlightenment.”
He added, “After the liberation of Mosul, regarding security, we need to fight with terrorists. Daesh targets civilians in crowded areas and we need to employ some tactics to tackle these security threats.”
Arguing that the US did not bring anything to Iraq but ruin he stressed “The US has created a lot of political, cultural, and civil problem for Iraqi people. Americans have had no achievements since their military operation in Iraq and turned the country into a fertile ground for terrorist activities. Because there is a presidential election in near future in the US, they want to participate in the operation to liberate Mosul to say that they have had an achievement in Iraq.”
Shaykh al-Ka’bi added, “The US supports the terrorists in Iraq and Syria. We have many documents and it have been proven to us. The US supports the Nouruddin Zengi terrorist group through the CIA while this group beheaded a Palestinian teenager a while ago.”
He stated “Daesh is the continuation of al-Qaeda which the US is responsible for its formation. The US is also responsible for creation of Daesh and al-Nusrah Front. Saudi Arabia is founder and promoter of Wahhabism in the region. Turkey and Israel also support different terrorist groups like Ahrar al-Sham in northern and southern Syria.”
Arguing that introduction of moderate armed groups in Syria by the US is to deceive the media and clarified “al-Nusrah Front, Ahrar al-Sham, and Jaysh al-Islam believe in the same thing as Daesh. None of these groups are moderate and Saudis have funded their arms.”
Pointing out at the Saudi ambassador’s activities in Iraq, he said, “It is Saudi Arabia’s mistake to appoint a security character as ambassador in Iraq. He has not come to Iraq for diplomatic affairs and is helping the terrorists in the country. It is possible that Saudi Arabia changes its ambassador.”
Remarking that Saudi is following separatist goals in Iraq he stressed “the Saudi embassy has been suspicious since its reopening in Iraq. The Saudi ambassador is not a favourable character and must leave Iraq. This person has disrespected and insulted to officials and people many times.”
He remarked “the Saudi ambassador is in contact with Daesh-supporting politicians. Daesh-supporting politicians are ministers and parliament members who are supported by Western and Arab countries and follow their plans.”
In another part of the discussion, Shaykh al-Ka’bi said, “Turkey is trying to improve its position in Iraq and Syria. Ankara cooperates with Zionists and Washington to carry out its plans in the region.”
Shaykh al-Ka’bi added, “Turkey has sent troops to Syria and Iraq without their permission. We consider them occupation forces and they must leave northern Iraq.”
Pointing out at the ideological foundation of Resistance groups in Iraq he stated “Resistance groups in Iraq believe in leadership of Wilayat al-Faqih and Islamic Republic has been formed to help the oppressed. We believe that our ideology has followers everywhere in the world and justice must be established all over the world.”
Speaking about the dismissal of Iraqi Defense Minister, he said, “The Iraqi Defense Minister does not participate in military operations because Iraqi military and security forces do not have any connections with him. These forces are in contact with the Prime Minister and the Defense Minister’s dismissal does not affect the operation to liberate Mosul.”
Stressing on the Supreme Leader’s role in the Resistance Axis’ victories, Shaykh al-Ka’bi clarified: “Ayatollah Khamenei’s wisdom and insight has affected our beliefs and we achieved a great deal through his insight.”
In conclusion, he said, “Iran has helped the Resistance groups in Iraq a great deal so that they can fight against terrorism in their country. If Iran did not help, there would have been a disaster in Iraq. But through Iran’s help and support we were able to gain many victories against terrorist groups in Syria and Iraq. Iran plays a very positive and big role in fighting terrorism and Iranian people love Iraq and Iraqi people.”
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