Maliki Seeking a Foothold in Kurdistan Through Hashd Al-Shaabi: MP
Nouri al-Maliki, the leader of the Iraqi State of Law faction and the former Iraqi premier.
(BasNews) Nouri al-Maliki, the leader of the Iraqi State of Law faction and the former Iraqi premier, is attempting to secure the support of a part of Kurds through recruiting them in Hashd al-Shaabi Shi’ite militia, said a Kurdish MP.
Shakhawan Abdullah, a Kurdish member of the Iraqi parliament, told BasNews on Monday that Maliki has managed to gain some Sunni groups’ support and he has formed military units for them, arguing that he is intending to implement the same policy in the Kurdistan Region.
Maliki is approaching some Kurdish factions aiming at recruiting their cadres and members in Hashd al-Shaabi ranks, said Abdullah.
The Kurdish lawmaker warned the sides to stop the policy of enrolling the Kurdish youth in the Shi’ite militia, adding that “such policy will have serious consequences for the Kurdistan Region and are attempts to divide Kurdistan Region.”
According to reports, Hashd al-Shaabi has begun recruiting Kurdish youths in different locations in Kurdistan Region, particularly in the areas which are under the influence of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK).
In some parts of Kurdistan Region such as Khanaqin, Chamchamal, Tuz Khurmatu and Kirkuk, the militia has already recruited a large number of Kurdish youth.
According to a recruit in Hashd al-Shaabi in Halabja city in Kurdistan Region, the militia force is recruiting people in the city with a tempting monthly salary. Unconfirmed reports say that over 400 youths from Halabja have so far been registered in Hashd al-Shaabi.