US Forces Remain Targets for Resistance in Iraq: Nujaba
“With the military presence of the US, there is no difference between titles and appellation and they continue to be targets for the weapons of the Islamic Resistance under any title or attribute,” Nasr al-Shammari said in an interview al-Mayadeen, according to the Communication and Media Affairs Center of al-Nujaba in Iran.
In the interview, he explained the reasons for the opposition groups’ opposition to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iraq’s position on the military presence of United States in Iraq.
Referring to the views of Iraqi security experts and officials, al-Shammari noted, “Both the interim Prime Minister, the Minister of Defense and the National Security Adviser have stated that Iraq does not need foreign forces to ensure its stability and has sufficient facilities and capabilities in this regard.”
He called Fuad Hussein’s claim contradictory to the approach of security officials and noted, “Surprisingly, instead of referring to experts, the Minister of Foreign Affairs speaks of Iraq’s need for American troops and advisers! In parentheses, we must emphasize that this foreign minister, before taking office, had publicly stated that he did not believe in either the sovereignty or the government under the name of Iraq! He wishes Iraq would be unstable and insecure to achieve its separatist goals.”
Referring to the collapse of Iraq’s military-security apparatus following the rise of Daesh, the deputy secretary-general continued, “When Iraq was most in need of American troops and advisers, they were of no use and their presence was not a source of any benefit or assistance.”
Al-Shammari said that the Americans are changing the title of their presence in Iraq to deceive public opinion and added, “What benefit is there to changing the title of the ‘occupier’ to ‘advisor’? American troops are on Iraqi soil, what difference does it make under what name and under what pretext this military presence is?”
He announced, “We have informed the United States to withdraw all foreign troops from Iraq” and added, “But the Americans are saying the opposite, saying that the Iraqi government has demanded that the foreign troops remain in the country. I’m sorry to say this, but one side is lying and I think Americans have more credibility.”
The spokesman of al-Nujaba praised Qasim al-Araji, National Security Adviser of Iraq, who said that the day of the complete withdrawal of United States troops will be a historic day and said, “All factions must take a stand like Mr. al-Araji because today, Iraq has high military capabilities and an experienced army that was able to defeat Daesh.”
At the end of the conversation with al-Mayadeen, al-Shammari emphasized once again, “From the point of view of the al-Nujaba Movement, things are not much different and Iraq does not need American troops. We, therefore, make it clear that we continue to regard American forces as targets for the weapons of the Islamic Resistance under any title or attribute.”
