Baghdad – Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim Jaafari’s latest statements stirred anger among Iraqi MPs and officials. Jaafari spoke during a press conference in Jordan stating that Commander of Quds Force Qasem Soleimani is helping Iraq in its fight against ISIS as a military advisor at the request of Iraqi government.

Jaafari visited Jordan accompanied by Head of Sunni Endowment Abdul Latif Hamim where they met with King of Jordan Abdullah II bin Hussein.

Member of Iraqi Forces and Security and Defense Committee MP Mohammed Karbouli wondered about granting Soleimani this title as there are other US and Iranians. And Iranian advisors. He told Asharq Al-Awsat that Soleimani is currently leading the battles in Falluja.

MP Karbouli addressed the Prime Minister and Commander in Chief of Armed Forces Haidar Abadi wondering if Iraqi government accepts Arab military advisors for the same position Soleimani is taking. He added that U.S advisors who train Arabic tribes in are not in combat and their presence is not publically declared.

Karbouli then deduced that Soleimani’s mission is more than a military advisor.

A source at the U.S embassy in Baghdad did not deny nor confirm the information. In an email addressed to Asharq Al-Awsat, the source said that the role of U.S. is only to support, advise, and train the Iraqi Forces.

Former Nineveh Governor and commander of National Mobilization Atheel Nujaifi described the announcement of Jaafari as “very strange”. During an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Nujaifi said that Jaafari should not have said that unless his statement meant to conceal something bigger.

Secretary General of Coalition of Iraqi National Unity, Nahro Abdul Karim Kasnazan said that Jaafari’s statements provokes the patriotism of all Iraqi and is a huge insult for the Iraqi Army and all Arab Armies.

Kasnazan wondered why there hasn’t been any Iraqi officer assigned to the mission rather than an Iranian officer who is known for his animosity towards Iraqi and Arabs.