Iraq Hits back at Saudi FM over Remarks on Hashd Al-Shaabi

Rasa - Iraq’s foreign ministry fired back on Tuesday at criticisms of Popular Mobilization Forces, also known as Hashd al-Shaabi, by Saudi foreign minister Adel al-Jubeir who said Iraq cannot realize unity in the existence of the militia forces.

News ID: 426091

Date: 27 December 2016 - 23:58

RNA - “Recurrent abusive remarks and accusations by the Saudi foreign minister Adel al-Jubeir of the heroes and sacrifices of al-Hashd al-Shaabi reflect that Saudis maintain their tense approach on Iraq, which is made on narrow, sectarian backgrounds,” said ministry spokesperson Ahmed Jamal in a statement, Iraqi News reported.

Jamal said that approach caused Saudi Arabia “many opportunities for positive and constructive communication with regional states”, adding that Saudi policies made the kingdom one reason behind continued tensions and crises in Yemen and Syria, “which we will not allow in Iraq”.

Jamal maintained that PMF remains “a national, courageous combat force that operates within the limits of the law enacted by the parliament, and is one of the official security formations of the state”.

In a press conference with his Jordanian counterpart on Monday, Jubeir described PMF as a “sectarian organization" adding that “there should be no place for PMF if we want a united Iraq”.

Earlier this month, Iraqi President Fuad Masum approved a law passed by parliament in November that turned PMF from a paramilitary to national force.

The passing of the long-debated bill came amid intense objections from some groups within the Iraqi parliament who feared the law would grant the militia unchecked powers, and therefore stoke sectarian tensions.

PMF was formed by a decree from Iraq’s top Shiite clergy to combat the ISIL militants who took over many regions of Iraq in 2014. The militia force is currently engaged in fighting against ISIL on the side of the Iraqi government forces.

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