FILES: Hummam Hamoudi, head of Iraq’s Islamic Supreme Council, speaks during a political forum in Baghdad.
Hammoudi says attempts to ‘ignite’ a Shia-Shia war will fail
BAGHDAD — Efforts to provoke a war between Shia factions will not succeed, Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq president Humam Hammoudi said, accusing unnamed parties of trying to weaken Shia political influence under the cover of protecting the public interest.
“There are those who seek to ignite a Shiite-Shiite war whose outward appearance is protecting public interests, but whose underlying purpose is to destabilize Shiite political and social influence and remove influential forces from their positions,” he said in remarks published by his media office. “With the presence of the supreme religious authority, religious commitment and our people’s awareness of the reality of the malicious conspiracy, any bet on a Shiite-Shiite war will not succeed.”
He also said the Coordination Framework was moving to supervise the government it installed. The alliance “is currently moving to take responsibility for its government by following up on all procedures and policies through specialized committees, being present and active in visions and directions, and operating in the form of a state leadership council,” he said. “There is no Shiite rule in Iraq, but rather a consensual coalition government with the participation of all parties.”
The remarks follow a warning from Kataib Hezbollah security official Abu Mujahid al-Assaf, who accused the government of storming homes and terrorising the families of dead and wounded fighters under American supervision, said patience was running out and attacked Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi personally. Nujaba warned this month that government actions risked pushing toward an intra-Shia confrontation.
Zaidi has set Sept. 30, when the U.S.-led coalition mission ends, as the date for bringing all weapons under state control, and the governing coalition said this month that armed activity outside state authority after that date would be treated under the Anti-Terrorism Law. Kataib Hezbollah, Harakat al-Nujaba and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada have refused to disarm; Saraya al-Salam, Asaib Ahl al-Haq and the Imam Ali Battalions have moved to comply.