US raises concern over Iran-backed militia getting involved in Iraqi politics
After Iraq’s Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi unexpectedly announced a political alliance with one of the Popular Mobilization Forces’ (PMF) militia leaders, Hadi al-Amiri, the US has raised concerns as the two sides were always seen as political enemies.
Many of the militia under the umbrella of PMF are Iran-backed which increased fears of a growing Iranian influence in Iraq. (Reuters)
According to Foreign Policy magazine, just days earlier, both sides were exchanging heated accusations.
Although the proposed coalition dissolved soon after the announcement, the US still raised concerns at the possibility of PMF militia such as the Badr Organization getting involved in Iraq’s politics, saying that they intend on destabilizing the central government, the magazine reported.
Many of the militia under the umbrella of PMF are Iran-backed which increased international fears of a growing Iranian influence in Iraq.
“I tend to see this through the lens of what I assume to be Iran’s grand strategy for the region,” Foreign Policy reported Ryan Crocker, the former US ambassador to Iraq saying. “You create, fund, organize, and train non-state actors that will follow your direction and not that of those ostensibly running the country.”
The Iraqi parliament announced that the elections will take place on May 12.
Source:english.alarabiya.net