Commander: Saudi Arabia Infuriated by Iraqi Forces’ Victories

“The victories of the Iraqi security forces in Fallujah forced the Saudi Ambassador to Baghdad Thamer al-Sabhan to make interfering remarks about Iraq and its territorial integrity which were outside the diplomatic norms,” Iraqi Volunteer Forces (Hash al-Shaabi) Commander Javad al-Talibavi told FNA on Wednesday.

He said that the provocations by the Saudi envoy and before that some statements by certain Iraqi politicians are part of psychological warfare to prevent the Iraqi popular forces from gaining victories in the battle against ISIL.

On Sunday, Iraqi Foreign Minister Ebrahim al-Jafari slammed Saudi ambassador’s remarks about Iran’s role in the Arab country, including its advisory assistance to fight Takfiri militants.

Al-Jafari’s remarks came in reaction to al-Sabhan’s meddling in his country’s internal affairs.

“The Saudi envoy’s comments represent flagrant meddling in Iraq’s domestic affairs and run counter to standard diplomatic norms,” al-Jafari said.

In a Twitter post, Sabhan wrote that Iranian military advisers were in Fallujah to incite sectarian violence and change the demographic composition of the city.

The Saudi ambassador’s repeated meddling in Iraq’s internal affairs came after Iraqi troops retook Fallujah from the Saudi-backed ISIL militants on Friday and prepared to retake Mosul, the last Takfiri bastion in the country.

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry summoned Sabhan “to inform him of its official protest regarding his divisive statements.” The ministry said Baghdad would not allow anyone to stoke divisions in the country through making sectarian comments.

Baghdad also said it would not allow Riyadh to draw Iraq into the kingdom’s conflict with Tehran.

Iraqi officials have at times stated that Iranian military advisers are in the Arab country at the request of Baghdad.