BAGHDAD (Dispatches) – The Iraqi government has hit back at the Interior Ministry of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) for leveling baseless allegations against the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), denouncing them as unacceptable under any pretext.
Iraqi army spokesperson Sabah al-Naaman in a statement called the case particularly special, stating that KRG officials have yet to present evidence to the Baghdad government for their claims.
It came after the Interior Ministry of the KRG claimed in a statement that an unmanned aerial vehicle had crashed in an unpopulated area near Erbil on Thursday night.
It accused certain groups affiliated with the PMU, also known as Hashd al-Sha’abi, of conducting such attacks “with the intent of inciting chaos.”
Naaman emphasized that the Iraqi federal government and its security institutions have repeatedly affirmed their unwavering commitment to the protection of all walks of the Iraqi society as well as national security.
Baghdad will not hesitate to take strict legal action against any entity attempting to disrupt stability or endanger security across Iraq, Naaman pointed out.
The Iraqi army spokesperson urged cooperation and coordination through official channels, rather than resorting to reports and narratives that could harm the Arab nation’s institutions.
He warned that such actions “provide an opportunity for malicious actor” to undermine Iraq’s security apparatus, and offer hostile parties pretexts to destabilize the country.
Hashd al-Sh’abai fighters played a major role in the liberation of Daesh-held areas in the country.
In November 2016, the Iraqi parliament approved a law giving full legal status to the PMU fighters. It recognized the PMU as part of the national armed forces, placed the forces under the command of the prime minister, and granted them the right to receive salaries and pensions like the regular army and police forces.