Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Abadi Justifies PMF Violations, Secures their Role in Upcoming Mosul Battles | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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A convoy of the Iraqi anti-terrorism force drives on a road during an advance towards Fallujah. Reuters


Fallujah,Baghdad- Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Thursday gave a speech in which he tried to justify all recorded violations of Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) against the people of Iraq, and hinted that the group despite violations will be involved in upcoming operations in Mosul.

The people of Iraq remain greatly irked with crimes staged by PMF militants against Iraqis during the ISIS battles, the most recent incidents taking place in Fallujah.

PM Abadi, in his speech which was broadcast on television, said that “heroes sacrificed their lives, fighting on grounds, which they do not have anything in,(referring to Iraq),” adding “mistakes happen here and there and cannot be generalized.”

Abadi further accused internal Iraqi parties of staging violations, however made no denunciations. The Iraqi PM considered that militias partaking in Mosul battles are selected by combat default.

On the other hand, former Governor of Nineveh Atheel al-Nujaifi, a governorate located in northern Iraq that contains the ancient Assyrian city of Nineveh, in his statement to Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper highlighted the necessity of Mosul being freed by residents themselves, with the aid of the Iraqi Army and international coalition solely.

He added that those urging PMF militants to join battles are in line with the propaganda on transforming Iraq into a subordinate state to Iran.

“They do not care for the aftermath of Mosul becoming a zone for international conflict post liberation,” Nujaifi explained on foreign agenda being carried out in Iraq.

As for field status, U.S.-led coalition strikes targeted ISIS convoys near the Iraqi city of Fallujah destroyed more than 200 vehicles in an effort to help Iraqi forces cement their hold on the area, the White House said on Thursday.

Two coalition pilots detected two large convoys on Wednesday night moving away from Fallujah and made strikes against them, White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters at a daily press briefing.

One strike destroyed more than 150 vehicles in one convoy, while more than 50 vehicles were destroyed in the second convoy, he added.