Iraqi Popular Forces Deny Reports on Withdrawal from Al-Anbar

Iraq’s Badr Organization rejected media reports claiming that the popular forces have pulled out from al-Nakhib region in the restive province of al-Anbar.

Hamed Saheb al-Karbalaei, Head of Badr Organization’s Karbala branch, was quoted as saying by al-Youm al-Samen news website in a statement that the popular forces are still in al-Nakhib region and al-Anbar province to prevent ISIL’s infiltration into other districts and strengthen unity in Iraq.

On April 25, Saheb al-Karbalaei announced that hundred of volunteer forces had joined Badr Organization to drive the ISIL out of Iraqi cities.

Also last month, Iraq’s president, prime minister and parliament speaker in a joint meeting in Baghdad decided to arm all forces in Nineveh and Al-Anbar provinces to prepare them for war against ISIL.

During the meeting in Baghdad, Iraqi President Fouad Massoum, Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi and Parliament Speaker Salim al-Jabouri underlined the need for helping the Iraqi army and popular forces in their fight against the ISIL.

The ISIL Takfiri terrorists currently control shrinking swathes of Syria and Iraq. They have threatened all communities, including Shiites, Sunnis, Kurds, Christians, Ezadi Kurds and others, as they continue their atrocities in Iraq.

Senior Iraqi officials have blamed Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and some Persian Gulf Arab states for the growing terrorism in their country.

The ISIL has links with Saudi intelligence and is believed to be indirectly supported by the Israeli regime.