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TEHRAN – The Iraqi prime minister has hailed Iran\u2019s anti-terror icon General Qassem Soleimani who was assassinated by the United States in Baghdad five years ago.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani\u00a0said General Soleimani \u201cstood by\u201d Iraqi people amid the Arab country\u2019s war against the ISIL terror group.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Iraqi premier was speaking in a ceremony in Baghdad marking the fifth anniversary\u00a0of the martyrdom of General Soleimani, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the second-in-command of Iraq\u2019s Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), and their companions. They were assassinated in a US drone strike authorized by then-US President Donald Trump near Baghdad International Airport on January 3, 2020.<\/p>\n
\u201cMarty Qassem Soleimani supported us across all battlefronts and stood by martyr Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis to defend Iraq in the most difficult situations,\u201d al-Sudani\u00a0said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Iraqi premier said General Soleimani and al-Muhandis salvaged Iraq and the region from the clutches of terrorism.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He said high religious authorities have characterized them as heroes who have triumphed in the fight against ISIL terrorists.<\/p>\n
Al-Sudani\u00a0also threw his full weight behind the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) which has played an instrumental role in the defeat of ISIL.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe PMU is a fundamental force in defending Iraq. Iraq is at the peak of readiness and is ready to respond to any aggression regardless of its source. Our security forces are capable of ensuring the security of the country. Our government has moved in the direction of strengthening PMU like other security forces,\u201d he noted.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Last week, the PMU\u2019s chairman praised the role of Iran and General Soleimani in combating terrorism in Iraq.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe triumph over terrorism is an achievement attained by martyred commanders, which we must safeguard. Our victories were due to the support of the Islamic Republic of Iran, especially martyr Soleimani,\u201d Falih al-Fayyadh\u00a0said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He added, \u201cThe PMU is fully prepared for any confrontation and is not concerned with baseless accusations. There is interaction with the government of Prime Minister al-Sudani. Our forces provide this government with symbols of dignity and strength.\u201d<\/p>\n
The PMU was formed in the summer of 2014 when ISIL rapidly seized large parts of northern and western Iraq, including Mosul.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In 2016, the Iraqi Parliament passed a law officially integrating the PMU into the National Armed Forces, granting it legitimacy as part of Iraq\u2019s defense system.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Despite mounting pressure from Washington, Iraq\u2019s government has refused to dismantle the PMU. Officials have reiterated that the organization plays a critical role in safeguarding Iraq\u2019s territorial integrity.<\/p>\n
Iraq\u2019s Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani has also rejected the dissolution of the PMU.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n