Iraq condemns attacks on Hashd al-Shaabi

By Mazin Majeed Asaad Baqal

BAGHDAD (AA) – Iraq on Tuesday denounced airstrikes on Hashd al-Shaabi paramilitary forces in the town of al-Qaim close to the border with Syria.

The presidency issued a statement saying President Barham Salih received Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi, Parliament Speaker Mohammed Halbusi and some other politicians and discussed recent attacks on Hashd al-Shaabi depots and bases.

The Iraqi administration condemned the attacks and said they violated the country’s sovereignty.

Baghdad underlined that it did not want the country to become a conflict zone or be targeted by neighboring countries and said Hashd al-Shaabi forces were part of the country’s armed forces.

- Airstrikes on Hashd al-Shaabi

Multiple ammunition depots of Hashd al-Shaabi units were targeted between July 19 and Aug. 25. The Shia paramilitary group accused Israel of carrying out the attacks.

President Salih said an investigation into the airstrikes was underway.

Abu Mahdi Muhandis, deputy chairman of Hashd al-Shaabi, said on Aug. 21 that the U.S. was responsible for the attacks and had used four Israeli drones to target Hashd al-Shaabi and Iraqi military bases.

The same day, Falih Alfayyadh, chairman of Hashd al-Shaabi and Iraq’s National Security Council advisor, said the attack was planned from “outside” but added that Muhandis’ statement did not reflect the official view of the paramilitary organization.

Alfayyadh refrained from openly accusing the U.S. and Israel of carrying out the attacks.

In addition, the U.K.-based Asharq Al-Awsat daily alleged that the Tel Aviv administration got approval from the U.S. and Russia and struck Iranian missile and ammunition depots in Iraq.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Aug. 20 that Iran’s military elements in Iraq were targeted by the country’s army in July.

*Writing by Ali Murat Alhas