Hashd al-Sha’abi continue to defend Iraq: PMU commander
A high-ranking member of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) has brushed off calls by the US to lay down their weapons, stressing that they will continue to defend the country.
The PMU’s deputy chief, Abu Mahdi al-Mohandis, made the remarks during an interview with The Associated Press on Monday.
"The future of the PMU is to defend Iraq," he added
“The Iraqi army and Iraqi police say they cannot operate without the support of the Hashd," he noted, using the group’s Arabic name Hashd al-Sha’abi.
Read More:
- Hashd al-Sha’abi commander calls for US forces withdrawal from Iraq
-
Wahhabism ideology inspiring terrorism in region: Iraqi cmdr.
Earlier in the month, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called on the PMUs to return to their homes or leave the country.
Al-Muhandis brushed off Tillerson’s demands, saying, "Tillerson is asleep."
Washington’s demands were also slammed by Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. “No party has the right to interfere in Iraqi matters,” Abadi's media office said in a statement released on October 23.
Hashd al-Sha’abi is an Iraqi state-sponsored umbrella organization composed of some 40 groups, which are mainly Shia Muslims. The force reportedly numbers more than 100,000 fighters. Iraqi authorities say there are between 25,000 and 30,000 Sunni tribal fighters within its ranks in addition to Kurdish Izadi and Christian units.
The fighters have played a major role in the liberation of Daesh-held areas to the south, northeast and north of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, ever since the terrorists launched an offensive in the country. Daesh launched a terrorist offensive inside Iraq in 2014. It swiftly took over territory in the Arab country and posed a threat to seize Baghdad.
MP: US accountable for possible Israeli 'foolishness' to attack Iraq
PM Sudani slams Israeli letter to UNSC as ‘pretext to justify aggression against Iraq’
Iraq resistance strikes ‘vital’ Israeli target as Tel Aviv asks Baghdad to prevent attacks
VIDEO | Former FBI agent criticizes US Congress for 'outright corruption'
IRGC chief urges Muslim countries to cut aid routes to Israel
'New chapter in cooperation': Iran, Venezuela sing new MoUs
Jordan sentences former lawmaker for supporting Palestinian resistance
Basij volunteer forces hold massive drills in southwestern Iran
Israeli war criminals 'not welcome', US city says after ICC ruling
US vetoing of Gaza ceasefire resolution ‘disgraceful’: Iran’s UN envoy
VIDEO | IAEA adopts anti-Iran resolution tabled by E3
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
