Sadr suspends militias after Sunni leader’s murder
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has shut down two militia groups after the assassination of a prominent Sunni tribal leader and the subsequent deepening of sectarian tensions across Iraq.
Sadr’s announcement that Youm-AlMauad and Saraia Salami, two Shiite brigades fighting against ISIS alongside Iraqi security forces, must suspend operations follow’s outrage over last week’s murder of the Sheik Qasim al-Janabi and eight others in central Baghdad.
“What happened proves that Iraq is not suffering from foreign forces alone, but suffers from militia groups as well. Both are undermining the Iraqi government and pose security threats to the country,” said Sadr, who added he was willing to work with security forces to find the murderers.
Sadr also called on political parties to be patient for investigation results, referring to Sunni politicians who threatened to walk out of Iraqi parliament in the aftermath of the killing.
Sadr’s announcement that Youm-AlMauad and Saraia Salami, two Shiite brigades fighting against ISIS alongside Iraqi security forces, must suspend operations follow’s outrage over last week’s murder of the Sheik Qasim al-Janabi and eight others in central Baghdad.
“What happened proves that Iraq is not suffering from foreign forces alone, but suffers from militia groups as well. Both are undermining the Iraqi government and pose security threats to the country,” said Sadr, who added he was willing to work with security forces to find the murderers.
Sadr also called on political parties to be patient for investigation results, referring to Sunni politicians who threatened to walk out of Iraqi parliament in the aftermath of the killing.