Iraq's government must dismantle armed militias and rein in heavy weaponry to stop attacks on diplomatic and military missions, the influential Arab Tribes Council in Iraq said on Monday.
It comes as three Katyusha rockets targeted the military terminal at Baghdad International Airport late on Sunday. The terminal, which is occasionally used by US troops, has come under several attacks this year, which are believed to have been carried out by Iran-backed militias.
No casualties were reported but several vehicles were damaged, the Iraqi military said.
"Militias are partly responsible for the chaos that Iraq is witnessing, especially the targeting of diplomatic and sovereign headquarters in Iraq," the secretary general of the Arab Tribes Council in Iraq, Sheikh Thaer Al Bayati, said.
Mr Al Bayati expressed apprehension that weapons held by militias could threaten the country's stability.
"The government must strip the militias of its weapons," he said.
The US accuses Iran-backed militias of carrying out attacks on its troops in the country.
Washington deployed thousands of its forces in Iraq to support the army in the battle against ISIS in 2014, advising and training Iraqi troops.
For years Baghdad has faced many challenges to rein in armed militias and keep weapons under state control. But in recent years, pro-Iranian militias, also known as the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), have become more powerful despite the calls made by the government.
The PMF is an umbrella organisation of militias formed in 2014 to fight ISIS and has continued to grow, with tens of thousands of fighters operating under its banner today.
In late 2016, the Iraqi parliament passed a law granting the PMF formal recognition as an autonomous branch of the Iraqi security forces. The law stipulates that the PMF must put its weapons under Iraqi state control and abandon politics.
That is yet to happen.
Activists and human rights groups accuse Iran-backed militias of targeting anti-government protesters with kidnapping, intimidation and violent attacks. They also assisted security forces in the heavy-handed clampdown on mass demonstrations that broke out in the capital and across the south last year. More than 550 people have been killed and thousands injured since the protests broke out in October 2019.
Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi launched a security operation to seize illegal weapons in Baghdad and Basra last week.
Security forces arrested 13 men after raiding several districts in the two cities, seizing dozens of light and medium weapons.
“The government and security forces will deal with those who attempt to threaten the security of citizens and we will not tolerate this,” military spokesman, Yehia Rasool, said.
Tension heightened between the US and Iran after an American drone strike killed Iranian military leader Qassem Suleimani in January near Baghdad International Airport.
It resulted in Iran-backed attacks on American troops stationed in Iraq. The threat of attacks led the US to pull troops out of several Iraqi bases.
After the killing of Suleimani, Iraqi members of parliament passed a non-binding resolution to remove foreign forces from the country.
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
OPINIONS ON PALESTINE & ISRAEL
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
more from Janine di Giovanni
The%20specs
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Coming soon
Torno Subito by Massimo Bottura
When the W Dubai – The Palm hotel opens at the end of this year, one of the highlights will be Massimo Bottura’s new restaurant, Torno Subito, which promises “to take guests on a journey back to 1960s Italy”. It is the three Michelinstarred chef’s first venture in Dubai and should be every bit as ambitious as you would expect from the man whose restaurant in Italy, Osteria Francescana, was crowned number one in this year’s list of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants.
Akira Back Dubai
Another exciting opening at the W Dubai – The Palm hotel is South Korean chef Akira Back’s new restaurant, which will continue to showcase some of the finest Asian food in the world. Back, whose Seoul restaurant, Dosa, won a Michelin star last year, describes his menu as, “an innovative Japanese cuisine prepared with a Korean accent”.
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
The highly experimental chef, whose dishes are as much about spectacle as taste, opens his first restaurant in Dubai next year. Housed at The Royal Atlantis Resort & Residences, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal will feature contemporary twists on recipes that date back to the 1300s, including goats’ milk cheesecake. Always remember with a Blumenthal dish: nothing is quite as it seems.
What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
LOVE%20AGAIN
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
