Iraq PM blames violence on ‘diabolical Arab states’

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has blamed ‘diabolical’ and ‘treacherous’ Arab countries for the recent rise in violence in his country.

“Iraq is the target for some countries that are backing terrorism, and backing evil,” the premier said in a Sunday speech in the southern city of Nasiriyah.

“The world has united with us,” Maliki added. “The (UN) Security Council, the European Union, and most Arab countries, except some diabolical treacherous countries.”

The Iraqi prime minister also warned that the violence has started to expand and will reach the countries which are supporting it.

Maliki did not name individual countries; however, Iraqi authorities in the past have blamed Saudi Arabia and Qatar for fueling the unrest in the Arab country.

Violence has surged across Iraq in recent months, reaching its highest level since 2008.

In recent weeks, the country has been the scene of fighting between security forces and militants from the al-Qaeda-affiliated Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in the western province of Anbar.

The clashes in Anbar broke out on December 30, 2013, when the army removed an anti-government protest camp in Ramadi. Authorities said the camp was used as “headquarters for the leadership of al-Qaeda.”

The bloodshed later spread to Fallujah and militants moved in and seized the city and parts of Ramadi.

Earlier in January, the Iraqi prime minister urged global action against countries who give support to militants operating against the Iraqi government, saying Baghdad is “fighting to defend the world, humanity and justice.”