Militias impose terror in Iraq

Abubaker Asij, a 42 year old lawyer, a graduate of the University of Baghdad, was arrested by the intelligence services of Saddam Hussein in 1997. Suffered torture and spent a long sentence in a slum of more than two meters long and one meter wide. They wanted to execute him, but the amnesty of 2002 opened the lock of the prison.

And all for being a member of Hezbollah Iraq – party not to be confused with the Lebanese militia with same name. Today he is one of the leaders of the Shiite militia, one of the most aggressive in the offensive against the jihadists of the Islamic State (EI).

The fatwa of Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the origin of the mobilization of the Iraqi people against the onslaught of the EI in the north and east, has dusted weapons of Shiite militias, which caused many casualties to U.S. troops, but since the U.S. withdrawal in 2011, tried to relax its warrior profile. “We have a military wing and other political,” said Abubaker, “we members of Parliament.” But now, the uniform, the gun strap and the Kalashnikov, resting on the butt in a corner, say it’s time to battle. “We support forces for the Army in Iraq,” says the leader of Hezbollah, with a portrait of Grand Ayatollah overhead, “our fighters can not turn back.”

That have fame, launching into the front line without fear of being on the road. And with pride: “We have more weapons and men that the army and began the offensive before them,” said Abubaker. Hezbollah Iraq, which has also entered Syrian territory to defend Saida Zeinab Mosque in Damascus, has men in Iraqi provinces of Anbar, Babylon and Saladin. But there’s Shiite militias in the forefront of fighting: battalions Asaib Ahl al Haq, the Sadrists Peace Brigades, the Abu Fadil, Bader…

Abubaker shows some photos stored on his phone: a carafe to make explosives, a mortar, a trench in the middle of the field. They are the images that brings Latifiya focus of Sunni radicals linked to al Qaeda with the Army had not dared to mess with. And they asked what Hezbollah did? ” Yes, we asked after the fatwa of Sistani and we did, but there are still terrorists.” Abubaker prefers to reserve the number of militiamen.

Iranian influence, also present in brigades as Bader or Asaib Ahl al Haq, however does not seem good for everyone. Ameer Kinani belongs to the Ahrar bloc, loyal to cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and reluctant to Prime Minister Nuri al- Maliki, go for a third term. “The first thing Maliki after the departure of the U.S.,” says Al Kinani from the barricaded headquarters Sadrist bloc, “was set associated militias who now lead the battle.” ” The U.S. is concerned to see that Maliki helps militias like Asaib Ahl al Haq or Bader,” replies, “because they have Iranian influences.” And that, says the lawyer training has slowed sending military support. “When the U.S. wants to give ams supplies to a regular army, not militia linked to Iran.”

Volunteers loaded with bags of clothes and ready for battle line the wall of the Baghdad offices of the Bader organization, born in Iran and present in the country since 2003, the U.S. military intervention. Hasan al Saadi, one of its leaders, admits that working with the Iraqi Army. “This morning about 600 volunteers came to join the offensive against EI ” says Al Saadi, “can not receive more.” And what do they do with them? ” From here we send them to Army,” he replies while moving the beads, “to receive training.”

Shiite militias are present to the north, south, east and west of Baghdad, but also cover the perimeter and patrol inside the capital. Iraqi citizens have denounced the indiscriminate persecution of Sunnis in some of these neighborhoods. Abubaker, Hezbollah leader admits that watching Dora, and Abu Ghraib Gazalie, and have practiced arrests. “We can detain citizens and deliver them to the police,” said Abubaker.  Human Rights Watch reported just yesterday execution of 255 Iraqi prisoners in different parts of the country at the hands of Sunni security forces and militias.

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Posted by Maleeha Tareen on Jul 14 2014. Filed under Middle East. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.