Iraq News
Politics

Iraqis resent Iran's interference in their affairs

By Faris al-Omran

Qassem Soleimani, commander of the IRGC's elite Quds Force, has become the public face of Iranian interference in Iraq, observers say. [Photo circulated on social media]

Qassem Soleimani, commander of the IRGC's elite Quds Force, has become the public face of Iranian interference in Iraq, observers say. [Photo circulated on social media]

The Iraqi public has grown increasingly resentful of Iran's blatant interference in the sovereign affairs of their country, Iraqi observers told Diyaruna.

The most prominent figure associated with Iranian meddling in Iraq continues to be Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC-QF).

Soleimani's regular public appearances in Iraqi cities are provocative to Iraqi civilians as they underline Tehran's strong influence in Iraq, observers said.

Pro-Iran media outlets and social media accounts regularly post photographs of Soleimani in Iraq, meeting with the leaders of Iran-backed militias who work for the interests of the IRGC.

Qassem Soleimani, commander of the IRGC's elite Quds Force, meets with a group of Iraqi militia leaders in 2016. [Photo circulated on social media]

Qassem Soleimani, commander of the IRGC's elite Quds Force, meets with a group of Iraqi militia leaders in 2016. [Photo circulated on social media]

Iran is encouraging Soleimani to visit Iraq during times of tension "to confirm that it is the main player on the Iraqi scene and holds all the solutions for the most intractable issues", said Hilal al-Obeidi, an Iraqi writer and political analyst.

"We have seen Soleimani [in public] on several occasions, the latest of which was the Iraqi parliamentary elections in May 2019 and during negotiations to form the government and appoint cabinet ministers," he told Diyaruna.

"Iran and the IRGC authorised Soleimani to take over the Iraq portfolio since he is influential in the country and has strong relations with Iraqi militia leaders," he said.

Soleimani is considered to be the "de facto commander of all pro-Iran militant factions and groups in the country", al-Obeidi added, noting that he is widely seen as being the most influential Iranian leader in Iraq.

Discontent in Iraqi street

There is "great discontent in the Iraqi street regarding Soleimani's interference in the country's political, security and economic affairs", strategic and military analyst Rabie al-Jawary told Diyaruna.

"Iraqis are concerned due to Soleimani's dominance over several Iraqi factions, political parties and armed factions," he said, noting that the Iranian commander constantly seeks to exert influence on Iraq and its decision making process.

Armed militias in Iraq that are directly linked to Iran include the Badr Organisation, Kataib Hizbullah, Harakat al-Nujaba and Asaib Ahl al-Haq.

"Iraqis do not consider Soleimani a friend, and they are fully aware that his successive visits to Iraq and his activities and meetings with [Abu Mahdi] al-Muhandis [deputy head of the PMF], and other militia commanders is not in their country's interests," he said.

"Iran intends to position Soleimani as the leader with the final say in any Iraqi decision," he said, and to also send a strong message to the world that it will continue to undermine Iraqi sovereignty and deplete the country's resources.

Iran's hegemony and its ongoing targeting of Iraqi political opponents has reached a critical point, he noted, "with the only solution being a firm international stance from the international community to halt Iran's plans".

Iranian interference 'reprehensible'

The IRGC has large numbers of advisers dispersed among Iran-backed Iraqi militias, al-Jawary said.

"These Iranian advisers have thousands of militants under their command that are willing to do anything that Iran asks them to do," he added.

"Soleimani's actions and his interference in our internal affairs are reprehensible," Muhannad al-Fahdawi, 41, told Diyaruna.

"He should focus on the affairs of his country and leave us to govern our own country, free of Iranian tutelage," he said.

"We are not optimistic concerning Iranian officials, be it Soleimani or any other," said Ayman Ali, a 35-year old government employee.

"They only want to weaken and destroy Iraq," he told Diyaruna.

Ali called for deterrent measures to put an end to "suspicious activities of Iranian officials and to adopt strong positions against their influence and blatant meddling" in Iraqi affairs.

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26 Comment(s)
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In my opinion, we should not interfere in the affairs of other countries just as we do not want anyone else to interfere in the internal affairs of our country. For me, the pride and comfort of the Iranian people are essential. Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen do not matter. They all can go to hell. My country has borders, and I will break the leg of anyone who violates it. Anyone who says we should seek Iranian security in Syria and Iraq is lying.

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I wish Soleimani had left them on their own so that ISIS would not spare their honor.

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The Iranians have the most corrupt regime in the world. They are now going to corrupt Iraq as well.

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I urge readers of this article to visit the bottom section of this page (About Us). This spiteful, hypocrite website is sponsored by the bloodthirsty and filthy America.

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The have brainwashed you. The Iranian regime is corrupt.

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In the name of the owner of Quran, the Wise and Merciful Lord. Where are those who, for 8 years, dropped all kinds of bombs, including chemical ones, on the defenseless people of the Islamic Iran, cutting people into pieces people and into shed their blood?! These are the same people who are doing nothing but animosity and adherence to the evil and whims against the Muslim nations of Iraq, Iran etc. with the use of media, satellites and the internet! These unlucky people who do not know God, and their bestial whims in enjoying the mortal life of these few days in this world have blinded their eyes, deafened their ears, and made their mouths mute so that they won't be able to praise God and defend divine commandments and human values. Now that the Islamic Iran rushed to defend the Iraqi nation and government and rescue them from such evil demons as the ISIS and the domination of the Great Satan, the United States, and stabilized and protected Iraq from destruction and disintegration - that was impossible except for divine favor – once again the same few foreign malicious people, along with the deceived and inexperienced Iraqi people, are being tuned to the tone of sedition and enmity among Muslims. Hoping to get rid of these enemies. Thanks.

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I thank you for your efforts in providing us with such invaluable articles and information.

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You lying mercenary! Open your blind eyes and see the bodies of Abu Mahdi and the General! The Prophet said [we should] throw dirt on the faces of hypocrites!

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This article is completely biased and is clearly published by an illiterate individual whose sole intention is to distort the image of, and create a negative atmosphere for, Iran and Soleimani. ... And, unfortunately, there are many who would believe these. Iraq has turned into a private backyard for the United States, where it can plan and do what it wants with Iran.

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All these are lies. Because, Haj Ghasem Soleimani comes to Iraq solely for the sake of consulting in order to provide security to Iraq and its Muslim brothers. Moreover, he comes on the invitation extended to him by the Iraqi government, and not on his own. Rest assured, the safety and security of Iraq, this friendly and brotherly country, are the wishes of all Iranians. May the day come when the right thinking is prevalent in Iraq, so that we see our beloved brothers and sisters enjoy peace and security in Iraq.

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He is wrong. If it wasn't for Iran, ISIS would now be beheading every one of them and capturing their women. Long live the zealous Suleimani. Down with the Saudi, the United States, and Israel. They intervene even more.

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I sacrifice my life for Soleimani ... Had it not been for Soleimani, Iraq would have lost its honor.

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Stop sowing the seeds of discord through your weak mentalities. It is true that Iran didn't help. Nevertheless, we share the same roots with Iraqis; there was a time when we all used to form one [unified] Iran.

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At the time when the ISIS had captured Mosul and had advanced all the way to the gates of Baghdad, when they killed thousands of Iraqis and raped thousands of women and girls, when the Saudis sent suicide bombers to Iraq, and when the United States refused to help Iraq, and instead sent down ammunition to ISIS using parachutes, at that time it was only Iran and Suleimani who, on the request of Baghdad, mobilized everything it could - from ammunition to forces and even its fighter aircraft. It was them who came to the help of [Iraqi] army and Popular Mobilization. Those who are protesting are either unaware, or ignorant, or perhaps are agents of the cursed Al Saud, U.S., Israel, the remnants of ISIS, or members of the Baath party. But the people of Iraq are noble. They must be very appreciative of these services, considering all the common interests. As for those who protest, they must know that if it were not for the resistance of the popular mobilization, Iraqi army, and the help from, then their mothers, sisters, and wives would be ISIS's sex slaves.

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This has infuriated the Sunni politicians who are affiliated to Saudi Arabia and America, and who don’t care about Iraq’s interests as much as they care about returning the government to how it was before 1991 and to keep Shias away. This is in addition to aligning Iraq to the America’s alliance against Iran. The reason why Saddam was toppled was that he was away from that alliance and closer to Iran which supported him throughout the siege.

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Thanks for the explanation.

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thanks for printing the truth

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Is there really an official holiday in all provinces tomorrow, or is this news not true?

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Unfortunately, most of those who talk about politics don’t understand much about it. All world states, including Iran, look for their interests, even if at the expense of other states. This is in case those states are weak, like Iraq. As to equal states, they adopt the principle of common interests. This is how states have always been since they were first created.

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May God avenge the Iran of evil!

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what are you talking about? you make no sense at all it isnt eveil it is about power and corruption

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A powerful Iraq is capable of self-governance. Now, however, Iraq is right in our next-door and we must remain vigilant about our own situation. That is it! Otherwise, we are not an enemy of Iraq. Nevertheless, we cannot remain indifferent in this situation, for we are going to have problems.

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One hundred percent accurate

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You deserve the likes of ISIS who humiliated you. We are the ones who should be asking you and making you accountable for 8 years of compulsory war. Apparently, [you act as if] we are the ones who owe you something! Long live Gen. Soleimani!

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They say such things, so that they can create discord among us and to waste all hard efforts made by our dear General. Although It is through that the Arabs have always been ungrateful and coward; nevertheless, we should not waste the efforts of our beloved.

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There has to be a limit to your filth and shamelessness! People have become aware. Oh you mercenaries, Shame on you!

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