Baghdad’s political crisis gives space for terrorists to act, says Abadi
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region—The political crisis in Iraq is creating a climate and giving space for acts of terrorism to occur, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said Saturday.
“The political conflict among politicians and their impact on the brave security forces permits acts of terrorism to occur,” Abadi said in a televised speech.
He said that extremists and militants have carved out space to operate where the government, impeded by ongoing political conflict, does not have control.
Abadi’s comments come after a turbulent few days. Multiple car bombs in the capital Baghdad on Wednesday killed more than 90. The next day, hundreds took to the streets to blame the government for the deaths, accusing politicians of carrying out the bombings in retaliation for protesters storming the Green Zone and taking over the parliament on April 30, demanding political reform and an end to corruption.
The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for at least one of Wednesday’s car bombs, which killed more than 60 in a busy market.
“The political conflict among politicians and their impact on the brave security forces permits acts of terrorism to occur,” Abadi said in a televised speech.
He said that extremists and militants have carved out space to operate where the government, impeded by ongoing political conflict, does not have control.
Abadi’s comments come after a turbulent few days. Multiple car bombs in the capital Baghdad on Wednesday killed more than 90. The next day, hundreds took to the streets to blame the government for the deaths, accusing politicians of carrying out the bombings in retaliation for protesters storming the Green Zone and taking over the parliament on April 30, demanding political reform and an end to corruption.
The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for at least one of Wednesday’s car bombs, which killed more than 60 in a busy market.