iraq pm challenges tillerson on iran remarks
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today
Arab Today, arab today
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today

Iraq PM challenges Tillerson on Iran remarks

Arab Today, arab today

Arab Today, arab today Iraq PM challenges Tillerson on Iran remarks

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson (2nd L) meets with Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in Baghdad
Baghdad - Arab Today

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi met top US diplomat Rex Tillerson in Baghdad on Monday, challenging the secretary of state over his comments on Iranian militias in Iraq.

Tillerson, in Riyadh on Sunday, had called on Iranian militias in Iraq to "go home" as the fight against the Islamic State group was ending.

His comments prompted a sharp response from Baghdad.

"The fighters of the Hashed al-Shaabi are Iraqis who have fought terrorism, defended their country and made sacrifices to defeat (IS)," Abadi said, according to a statement from his office.

The 60,000-strong Hashed was formed in 2014 after IS seized swathes of northern Iraq, routing government forces.

A coalition mostly made up of Iranian-backed militias, it has played a key role in Iraq's successful fight against the jihadists in the past three years.

The group answers to the prime minister's office and parliament has voted to integrate it into state forces.

"The Hashed is an institution that depends on the Iraqi state and the constitution does not allow the presence of armed groups outside the law," Abadi said.

But experts say regular visits to Iraq by Iran's Major General Qassem Soleimani, commander of its Revolutionary Guards' foreign arm, the Quds Force, reflect Tehran's influence in the country.

Iraq's cabinet on Monday insisted the paramilitary forces that helped it to defeat IS were fully Iraqi.

- No 'right to interfere' -

The cabinet added that "nobody has the right to interfere in Iraqi affairs."

Abadi and Tillerson both attended a landmark meeting between Saudi and Iraqi leaders in Riyadh on Sunday aimed at upgrading strategic ties between the two countries and countering Iran's regional influence.

Tillerson and Abadi, in Baghdad, discussed "government measures taken to restore the authority of the federal government in Kirkuk," Abadi's spokesman Haydar Hamada said.

Last week, central government forces wrested back control of the disputed oil-rich province from Kurdish forces in a sweeping operation after a controversial Kurdish independence vote.

"We are concerned and a bit saddened by the recent differences that have emerged between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Iraqi central government," Tillerson said.

"We are -- we have friends both in Baghdad, and we have friends in Arbil, and we encourage both parties to enter into discussion and dialogue."

The US State Department had on Friday called for Iraqi federal forces to limit their "movements" in areas disputed by the two sides to avoid more violence.

Both federal and Kurdish forces have been key US allies in the war against IS.

On Sunday, as calm returned to the areas in northern Iraq, federal and paramilitary forces said they lost five men in the clashes, adding to 26 deaths reported on the Kurdish side.

The Iraqi operation to retake disputed territories came three weeks after a Kurdish independence referendum condemned as illegal by Baghdad and criticised by Washington.

Before flying to Baghdad, Tillerson earlier on Monday also made a previously unannounced trip to Afghanistan, following the visits to Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Source: AFP

arabstoday
arabstoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

iraq pm challenges tillerson on iran remarks iraq pm challenges tillerson on iran remarks

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

iraq pm challenges tillerson on iran remarks iraq pm challenges tillerson on iran remarks

 



GMT 07:24 2017 Wednesday ,13 December

Cutler shines as Brady, Patriots upset by Dolphins

GMT 14:18 2017 Monday ,02 January

SCCI, Serbia discuss economic cooperation

GMT 13:08 2017 Tuesday ,05 September

Singer Haifa Wahby will issue a new album

GMT 03:01 2017 Tuesday ,25 July

Suicide bomber in Solo identified as former head

GMT 16:42 2017 Sunday ,09 July

Ten hurt in Spanish bull running fest

GMT 05:21 2017 Sunday ,05 November

Red Cross admits $6-million fraud

GMT 15:53 2017 Wednesday ,01 November

Rugby injury to sideline Van Niekerk for nine months

GMT 02:12 2015 Saturday ,27 June

US satellite radio settles on use of old music

GMT 22:44 2017 Sunday ,18 June

Oman 'No1' in region for starting a business

GMT 10:19 2011 Friday ,05 August

A glamorous pied-à-terre in Monaco

GMT 22:21 2017 Saturday ,16 December

Minister congratulates leadership

GMT 03:26 2017 Friday ,29 September

Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn resigns

GMT 16:57 2017 Friday ,03 November

Goerges sends Mladenovic crashing out of top 10

GMT 01:48 2011 Friday ,01 April

\'Super\' salmon resist climate change better

GMT 07:17 2017 Sunday ,12 February

Yemeni army clashed with Houthis in Taiz 
Arab Today, arab today
 
 Arab Today Facebook,arab today facebook  Arab Today Twitter,arab today twitter Arab Today Rss,arab today rss  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©

arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
arabstoday, Arabstoday, Arabstoday