Iraqi PM says armed groups in Iraq should be disarmed, including PKK
Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. File photo.
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has renewed his call to exclude the possession of arms to the state.
Speaking during his weekly press briefing on Tuesday, Abadi said his government “demands to disarm armed groups on Iraqi soil, especially the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).
Turkish forces regularly PKK locations in Iraq. Ankara and several world countries label PKK a terrorist group. Both sides fought a bloody war for decades. Baghdad had always said it opposes the use of its territories to launch attacks on neighboring countries.
He revealed that his cabinet has discussed enhancing control over the borders with Turkey and Iran
The prime minister said “terrorist actions are being publicized to weaken the country”, labelling them “an escalation against the electoral process”.
Abadi was referring to a recent video purports to show Islamic State militants threatening to behead some kidnapped civilians if Iraqi authorities do not release female detainees linked with the militant group.
Abadi had repeatedly urged to limit arms possession to the state. Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Forces have fought IS alongside the government and won government recognition late 2016, but Abadi had hinted to some unruly factions within the force.