Iraqi premier calls for unity, warns against chaos

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has called on the nation to set aside political differences and unite against the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group, which is wreaking havoc in parts of Iraq, saying bringing chaos is not in the interest of the country.

Abadi’s remarks, made in a statement addressing Iraq’s “dear people” on Friday, came hours after anti-government protesters broke into the fortified Green Zone for the second time in three weeks. Clashes ensued between security forces and the reform-seeking protesters.

Dozens of demonstrators, mostly the supporters of Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, were wounded after police fired teargas. The breach also made the government declare a curfew in the capital, only to be lifted hours later by the premier.

“During the past year and a half, your brave fighters managed to liberate provinces, cities and villages from the Daesh terror group and succeeded in returning displaced people to their homes. The town of Rutbah has just been liberated and we are at the doorsteps of Fallujah to bring it back to the bosom of the nation,” Abadi said.

He added these victories that would continue until the full liberation of Anbar province and then Mosul are coincided with Daesh bomb attacks against civilians in the capital, where some people “are dragging the country into chaos and attack our brave security forces” instead of attacking Daesh terrorists.

Abadi noted that his government was making its utmost effort to overcome the difficult challenges and to carry out reforms.

“We renew our call for our people to be cautious and vigilant of those who are seeking to create chaos to achieve their ambitions,” he went on to say.

The Friday protests came amid a turbulent political situation in Iraq where repeated attempts by Abadi for introducing a reform-minded cabinet have failed due to consistent differences among rival political factions.

Earlier this month, Sadr followers broke into the compound of parliament inside the Green Zone area, protesting a stalled vote to endorse Abadi’s nominees in the chamber.

Violence has plagued the northern and western parts of Iraq ever since Daesh Takfiris launched an offensive in the country in June 2014, and took control of portions of the Iraqi territory.

The Daeshis have been committing crimes against all ethnic and religious communities in Iraq, including Shias, Sunnis, Kurds, Christians and others. Iraqi army soldiers and fighters from allied Popular Mobilization Units are fighting to win back militant-held regions in joint operations.