Ali Hussaini, head of PMF media department in northern Kirkuk, declined news of their withdrawal from Kirkuk and other disputed areas and claimed “it is our city and will not leave it whatsoever” “Our relations with the international coalition has become past,” he added.
His speech comes after unconfirmed news that MPF withdrew form Kirkuk and several other areas amid the death of Abu Mahdi al- Muhandis, deputy head of PMF and Qassem Suleimani, Iranian Revoulutionary Guard Corbs Commander on January 3rd.
Ali Hussaini stated that, “reportedly, we have left some bases due to an order from Kirkuk operation room. That news is not correct and we are still here. It is not necessary to leave our bases.”
“PMF is an Iraqi security institution and is part of the Iraqi Armed Forces. Kirkuk is our city and Iraq is our country, then where should we go?” he asks.
PMF is an Iraqi security institution and is part of Iraqi Armed Forces
Regarding their relations and meetings with the international coalition forces within the structure of Kirkuk high-level security committee and Kirkuk operation room, Hussaini said that, “we did not have meetings with them before. They have met with the operation room, but after the decision of parliament, which determines that topic, from now on our relations with the coalition forces has become past.”
Iraqi parliament met and obliged the Iraqi government to end the presence of any foreign forces in the country
On Sunday, December 5th, Iraqi parliament met and obliged the Iraqi government to end the presence of any foreign forces in the country through a non-binding bill.
According to the bill, the international coalition assistance should end as “ISIS fight ended and victory achieved” and “Iraqi government is committed to restricting weapons in the hand of the state.
Kurds and Sunni representative did not attend the session which was arranged as a reaction to US airstrike which killed Qassem Suleimani and Abu Mahdi al- Muhandis.
