US Speaker Ryan to Iraq: Heed Secretary Tillerson about Iran-backed militias

Rudaw
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Speaker of the US House of Representatives Paul Ryan believes Baghdad should accept the Kurdistan Regional Government's offer to begin dialogue.

"Baghdad should accept this offer and enter into meaningful discussions that address long-term Kurdish concerns about autonomy, share of the national budget, and oil revenues," said Rep. Ryan in a statement on Wednesday.

The statement was co-signed by the chairmen of the House's intelligence, foreign affairs, and armed services committees.

"The bloodshed must stop immediately," read the statement.

The KRG had stated it was ready to freeze the outcome of the independence referendum, stop fighting, and begin a dialogue on the basis of the Iraqi constitution.

Baghdad was yet to accept the offer and on Wednesday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi was visiting the Turkish and Iranian capitals. 

"We are very concerned about Iranian involvement in recent operations. These forces have been responsible for horrible abuses, including the deaths of Americans," stated Ryan.

 

"[I]t is critical that the Iraqi government heed Secretary Tillerson’s concern about the role and activities of Iranian-backed Shia militias."


US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson met with Abadi twice this week. Tillerson urged the "Iranian militias ... to go home."

Abadi said the militias are "part of the Iraqi institutions" and "they will be the hope of the country and the region."

Iraqi forces including the Iranian-influence Hashd al-Shaabi paramilitary forces (PMF) have been involved in operations to take federal control of disputed or Kurdistani areas claimed by both Baghdad and Erbil.

The oil-rich areas are home to Kurds, Turkmen, Arabs, Christians, Yezidis and other groups.

 

US Vice President Mike Pence revealed that President Donald Trump ordered the State Department to stop US funding for "ineffective relief efforts" through the United Nations.

Instead, the United States will support persecuted communities through the State Department's USAID funding, Pence explained.

"The United States will work hand-in-hand with faith-based groups and private organizations to help those who are persecuted for their faith," said Pence on Wednesday at the In Defense of Christians Summit.

 


Northern Iraq and Syria have long been a homeland for Christans and other minorities in the Middle East.

Iraq’s Christian population has fallen from 1.5 million before 2003 to just hundreds of thousands today. In July, eight churches were closed in Baghdad