Head of the Asaib Ahl al-Haq faction Qais al-Khazali expressed his support for Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Sudani’s stance on the withdrawal of American forces from the country.
The pullout of American troops is no easy feat, he said on Friday.
During a trip to the United States in April, Sudani announced that Baghdad would gradually shift its relations from one with the US-led international coalition to one limited to their two countries. The shift would lead to the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq.
Various Iraq forces welcomed the declaration at the time.
Prior to that, pro-Iran armed factions had committed to a truce that called for refraining from attacking American targets in Iraq. The Kataib Hezbollah and Nujaba movement opposed this position.
Khazali said on Friday the withdrawal of the “occupier demanded a popular and political stance.”
He described Iraq’s position as “strong” and “national” and capable of “imposing its will and lead to the withdrawal of the foreign forces.”
“The government’s position is not subject to debate,” he stressed, reiterating its stance that the forces will be withdrawn through a “technical” process.
Moreover, he predicted that the pullout will take place in a matter of months.
“The resistance factions and their operations have sent clear messages regarding the withdrawal,” he added.
The Asaib Ahl al-Haq always take stances that oppose the American troop deployment in Iraq, but often opts for official channels in dealing with the Americans. The faction boasts a parliamentary bloc and cabinet minister, so it takes political considerations into account when it makes various stances.
Khazali made his position in wake of Kataib Hezbollah and Nujaba taking a more hardline approach towards the US forces.
Kataib Hezbollah spokesman Abou Ali al-Askari recently said the faction “has not sensed seriousness” in the regards to the American pullout.
