PM advisor: Attack on PMF ‘significant disappointment’

BAGHDAD, 4 January — Hisham al-Rikabi, the media advisor to the Prime Minister, described the recent attack on a Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) headquarters as a significant disappointment for the Iraqi state, potentially undermining ongoing dialogues with the United States regarding the withdrawal of coalition forces.

Commenting to 964media, al-Rikabi expressed concern that the strike could complicate the situation, potentially escalating tensions and turning Iraq into a battleground, a scenario that Iraq does not accept. He criticized the United States for its actions, pointing out that they contradict its stance on human rights and respect for international laws.

Al-Rikabi mentioned that technical teams from both Iraq and the United States had begun dialogues with the international coalition to schedule the withdrawal of their forces from Iraq. He reaffirmed the government’s belief in the Iraqi forces’ capability to maintain security and peace in the country.

As of now, there has been no communication with the U.S. Ambassador Elina Romanowski regarding the recent bombing that targeted a PMF headquarters in Baghdad, al-Rikabi confirmed.