Leader of Liwaa Ansar al-Marjaia faction, Hameed al-Yasiri accused on Sunday Iraq’s Iran loyalists of committing “grand treason.”
Speaking at an Ashura commemoration in the southern city of al-Ramtha, he declared: “Those who are loyal to sides other than the nation are committing grand treason”
“This is great deception. This is what Imam al-Hussein taught us,” he added.
He did not specifically name any side, but was widely understood to be referring to pro-Iran factions.
“Those who take orders from beyond the borders… this is not the doctrine of Imam al-Hussein,” he continued.
Yasiri said he was aware of the danger he would face after making his divisive statements.
“I am aware that some sides are recording these words and sending them to their masters, who will in turn send them to their masters beyond the borders. Someone from the outside will decree my killing or yours on charges of doubting loyalties,” he remarked.
Yasiri’s remarks are unprecedented even though tensions between the various Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) in Iraq are common. The factions are divided between those loyal to the religious authority based in Najaf city and others loyal to Iran. Yasiri’s faction belongs to the former camp.
Qais Khazali, head of the pro-Iran Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq, dismissed Yasiri’s remarks as “trivial”
“It is shocking that such trivialities could be uttered by a cleric from an Imam al-Hussein platform in a city such as al-Ramtha, whose people are diligent and cultured,” he added.
