December 15, 2016
After remarks by Qais Al-Khazali, head of Asa’ib Ahl Al-Haq (League of the Righteous) militia against the Kurds, the Kurdistan region of presidency (KRP) released a statement responding to Al Khazali remarks.
In the statement Omed Sabah, the spokesperson for the KRP demanded a clarification from the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) leadership for Al- Khazali’s comments, he said:” we demand the leadership of the Popular Mobilization Forces to express their opinion and position from Khazali’s remarks.” Sabah also said, “If Al-Khazali and his ilk try to invade Kurdistan; surely they will not have a better fate than ISIS.”
During an interview with an Iraqi TV station of Al Rashid, Asa’ib Ahl Al-Haq leader said that post-ISIS the Kurds are “biggest problem” indicating a peaceful agreement with the Kurdistan over the territories is hard to achieve.
Asa’ib Ahl Al-Haq is an armed group within the PMF. It’s led by Al Khazali who split up from the Iraqi Shia cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr in 2006 forming what’s called today Asa’ib Ahl Al-Haq. On several occasions, the group was accused of committing sectarian crimes in several provinces in Iraq including Baghdad. The group also were responsible for attacks against United States military in Iraq. Al-Haq Malitia is backed directly by Iran.
Full text of the Statement:
The head of the Asa’ib Ahl Al-Haq armed group, Qais al-Khazali in an interview on the Al Rashid channel, made some negative and erroneous opinions against Kurdistan, the Peshmerga forces, the President of the Kurdistan Region and the time that will follow the defeat and expulsion of Daesh (ISIS) from Iraq. He emphasized that the Kurds are the biggest problem in Iraq after Daesh.
Releasing of such statements by al-Khazali is nothing new, and this is not the first time that we hear threats from him against the people of Kurdistan. We hope these false and irresponsible statements reflects only his and the group’s opinion. Since we do not believe that al-Khazali represents the Popular Mobilization Forces, we demand the leadership of the Popular Mobilization Forces express their views and position from Khazali’s remarks.
The people of Kurdistan and the Peshmerga forces did not occupy lands, territories, and houses of others. The share of those wanted to occupy the land of Kurdistan was a rout.
If Al-Khazali and his ilk try to invade Kurdistan, surely they will not have a better fate that ISIS. We are confident that they will not be able to repeat what ISIS have done to Kurdistan and its people. They will not be able to exterminate our people and commit crimes based on their identity.
Dr. Omed Sabah
Spokesperson of the Kurdistan Region Presidency
December 14, 2016
Disclaimer: The views, opinions, and positions expressed by authors and contributes do not necessary reflect those on the WKI.