Najaf Friday Prayers’ Leader:

Iraqi Kurds, Sunnis not to benefit from US Congress’ plan

Rasa – Najaf’s Friday prayers’ leader stated that the US Congress’ plan to divide Iraq into three states based on religious and ethnic lines will not benefit Iraqi Kurds and Sunni Arabs as they claim.

News ID: 2438

Date: 02 May 2015 - 20:47

RNA – Hujjat al-Islam Husayn al-Khalidi, the Friday prayers’ leader of the Iraqi holy city of Najaf, condemned the United States Congress’ plan to send military aid to Iraqi Kurds and Arab Sunnis as if they were two independent governments, saying this plan is very dangerous.

He stressed that the project is a strike against Iraq and undermines the victories against terrorism that Iraqis have achieved as a united front. The US Congress’ harmful plan is clear interference in the internal affairs of Iraq and a part of their plan to divide Iraq into three independent states based on religious and ethnic lines.

Hujjat al-Islam al-Khalidi added that in order to confront this plan, all Iraqis must promote dialogue based on unity and resistance. “Neither the Kurds nor the Sunnis will benefit from this project because it is a threat to all Iraqis,” he said.

The draft of the US annual defense bill, which was released on April 27 by the House Armed Services Committee, urges the US government to recognize separate Kurdish and Sunni states and provide them with at least 25 percent of the USD-715-million aid money planned to be given to the Iraqi government to help it fight the ISIL terrorist group. The draft bill also says the figure could even amount to 60 percent of the money, about USD 429 million.

His Eminence stressed the need to focus on the conflict zones, and noted that the news being propagated in regard to the alleged crimes committed by the predominantly Shi’ite Popular Mobilization Forces are totally baseless rumours. He added that ISIL seeks to cover up their own crimes by using these rumours to achieve victory against the Popular Mobilization Forces and the Iraq security forces.

He strongly condemned the attacks against the Popular Mobilization Forces and said that despite having insufficient and inadequate equipment and facilities, these popular militias have been able to save Iraq from the enemies’ plots and restore life and dignity to the people who have suffered greatly under the so-called Islamic State.

“The government should give their full support to the Popular Mobilization Forces and to the families of the martyrs and injured people,” Najaf’s Friday prayers’ leader advised.

Hujjat al-Islam al-Khalidi called on the Iraqi parliament to approve the legislation they are considering to organize the Popular Mobilization Forces into a new National Guard. He added that the vindictive attacks against these militias are aimed at tarnishing their accomplishments.

In regard to the ongoing Saudi attacks against Yemen, His Eminence said Saudi Arabia has been caught up in a futile war and internal strife due to its mistaken policies in the region.

His Eminence also congratulated Iraqi workers on May Day (May 1st) called on the government to call attention to this class.

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