US using Basra protests to divide Shiites: Hashd commander
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy commander of the Hashd al-Shaabi, took to Twitter on Saturday night to accuse the US of exploiting the protests in Basra to undermine Hashd-backed parties and keep Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in office.
Describing the situation in Basra as “unfortunate” and a “sign of an apparent government failure,” Muhandis accused the US consulate in Basra of being “behind the sabotage and arsons.”
Offices of parties and militias that have ties to Iran, including groups within the mainly Shiite Hashd al-Shaabi, have been a target of angry protesters in Basra who have torched a number of buildings in recent days.
Fifteen people have been killed and 190 injured, including members of the security forces, in the past five days of protests in the city, according to figures from the Ministry of Health.
The US Department of State condemned the violence, while expressing its support for the right to peaceful protest in a statement on Friday.
The US embassy in Baghdad has advised its government employees to avoid areas in Basra where protests are occurring and announced it is "restricting its movements" during the Muslim Muharram holiday, particularly during the important Shiite Ashura commemoration between September 18 and 21 "due to expected road closures and unpredictable crowds."
Muhandis claimed the US “threatened with burning Basra” if incumbent Abadi was not given another term. Washington is seen as a key backer of Abadi at the helm of Iraq.
Ties between the Hashd and Abadi are tense, Muhandis explained, complaining that Abadi has failed to allocate salaries for Hashd fighters.
As prime minister, Abadi is also commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and last week named himself head of the Hashd after firing the former head for partisanship. He also is managing the Ministry of Finance portfolio, which lacks a minister.
“Abadi didn't keep most of his promises to Hashd al-Shaabi,” tweeted Muhandis, but said the situation will not devolve into a “Shiite-Shiite war.”
Key allies of Abadi deserted him in an emergency parliament session on Basra on Saturday. His coalition partners in Sayirun and the Hashd-linked Fatih alliance called on Abadi and his cabinet to resign and “apologize to the Iraqi people” for their failures.
“There is something dangerous behind the American insistence” that Abadi remain in power, said Muhandis, claiming to have evidence that the US embassy and consulate in Basra are involved in the protests.
Iranian-backed groups within the Hashd al-Shaabi have frequently called for US forces to withdraw from Iraq. Muhandis picked up that call again on Twitter, describing American presence in the country as “a danger” and hinting the US could strike Iran from Iraqi soil.
Stressing the role the Hashd played in the war against ISIS and the need to counter existing extremist threats from remnants of the terror group, Muhandis vowed his forces together with other Iraqi forces “will preserve Iraqi unity.”
Abadi has remained in his post as a caretaker prime minister while competing blocs vie for control of the parliament and the formation of the government.
Basra was again put under curfew Saturday, but the measure was lifted a few hours later when the evening passed calmly.
Updated at 11:04 am
Describing the situation in Basra as “unfortunate” and a “sign of an apparent government failure,” Muhandis accused the US consulate in Basra of being “behind the sabotage and arsons.”
Offices of parties and militias that have ties to Iran, including groups within the mainly Shiite Hashd al-Shaabi, have been a target of angry protesters in Basra who have torched a number of buildings in recent days.
Fifteen people have been killed and 190 injured, including members of the security forces, in the past five days of protests in the city, according to figures from the Ministry of Health.
The US Department of State condemned the violence, while expressing its support for the right to peaceful protest in a statement on Friday.
The US embassy in Baghdad has advised its government employees to avoid areas in Basra where protests are occurring and announced it is "restricting its movements" during the Muslim Muharram holiday, particularly during the important Shiite Ashura commemoration between September 18 and 21 "due to expected road closures and unpredictable crowds."
Muhandis claimed the US “threatened with burning Basra” if incumbent Abadi was not given another term. Washington is seen as a key backer of Abadi at the helm of Iraq.
Ties between the Hashd and Abadi are tense, Muhandis explained, complaining that Abadi has failed to allocate salaries for Hashd fighters.
As prime minister, Abadi is also commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and last week named himself head of the Hashd after firing the former head for partisanship. He also is managing the Ministry of Finance portfolio, which lacks a minister.
“Abadi didn't keep most of his promises to Hashd al-Shaabi,” tweeted Muhandis, but said the situation will not devolve into a “Shiite-Shiite war.”
Key allies of Abadi deserted him in an emergency parliament session on Basra on Saturday. His coalition partners in Sayirun and the Hashd-linked Fatih alliance called on Abadi and his cabinet to resign and “apologize to the Iraqi people” for their failures.
“There is something dangerous behind the American insistence” that Abadi remain in power, said Muhandis, claiming to have evidence that the US embassy and consulate in Basra are involved in the protests.
Iranian-backed groups within the Hashd al-Shaabi have frequently called for US forces to withdraw from Iraq. Muhandis picked up that call again on Twitter, describing American presence in the country as “a danger” and hinting the US could strike Iran from Iraqi soil.
Stressing the role the Hashd played in the war against ISIS and the need to counter existing extremist threats from remnants of the terror group, Muhandis vowed his forces together with other Iraqi forces “will preserve Iraqi unity.”
Abadi has remained in his post as a caretaker prime minister while competing blocs vie for control of the parliament and the formation of the government.
Basra was again put under curfew Saturday, but the measure was lifted a few hours later when the evening passed calmly.