Iraqi MP Raad al-Dahlaki has submitted an official request to the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) to intervene and put an end to the “security chaos” caused by “terrorist militias”.
This appeal follows an incident in Al Jubaylah village left nine framers dead.
Dr. Ahmed al-Madfai, a prominent cardiologist, was also assassinated three days ago outside his house in Baqubah, aslo in Diyala.
The MP demanded urgent and prompt intervention to tackle the instability, calling for holding an emergency security meeting in Diyala.
He further invited the head of UNAMI to carry out a field visit to Diyala and assess the security and political situation there.
The MP had previously warned that if the government fails to take necessary measures to curb the “terrorist militias” then the issue would be internationalized.
Al-Dahlaki described to Asharq Al-Awsat last week the Al Jubaylah attack as a “terrorist militia incident”.
“The security forces can confront any terrorist group, but they fear confronting militias that are backed by certain parties because the forces could be penalized for that,” he explained.
Dahlaki and other critics of the instability in Diyala have refrained from naming the parties they suspect are responsible. However, it is commonly known that the Badr Organization, led by Hadi al-Ameri, and Asaib Ahl al-Haq, headed by Qais al-Khazali, are the most powerful in the area.
The Iraqi security forces had arrested six suspects involved in the incident of Al Jubaylah, attributing it to a tribal conflict.
Meanwhile, the Iraq Medical Association called for the closure of all clinics and private hospitals (except for emergency units) in Iraq on Monday, in wake of the assassination of Dr. Madfai.
The Association further urged authorities to arrest the perpetrators and hold them accountable.
