Iraqi Shi’ites Concerned About Hawija Operation
The operation “a clear violation of Iraqi territorial integrity”: Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq
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24.10.2015 14:08
BAGHDAD – Iraqi Shi’ite groups, including the Sadrist Movement and Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq, have expressed concerns in regard to the Hawija operation conducted jointly by the Kurdish Peshmerga and US forces on Thursday.
In an address to his followers, Sadrist leader Muqtada al-Sadr said that the Hawija operation was an action against the Iraqi central government, and Baghdad must prevent further operations of this kind.
Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq, an Iranian backed Shi’ite paramilitary group, also made a statement on Friday October 23rd denouncing the operation, where he called it “a clear violation of Iraqi territorial integrity” as the central government was not informed of the mission.
The Shi’ite group claimed that such actions by the US could lead to a break up of Iraq.
On Thursday Kurdish Peshmerga and US forces conducted a joint rescue operation in Hawija, southern Kirkuk, freeing 69 prisoners, killing 20 IS insurgents with capturing six jihadists.
Officials have confirmed that one US service member was killed during the operation and four Peshmerga injured.
