Former Iraqi parliament Speaker, Mohammed al-Halbousi, raised concerns about arming local forces with heavy weaponry, warning of potential internal conflicts in disputed areas. This sparked backlash from Kurdish officials receiving military aid.
Halbousi criticized the distribution of heavy artillery to local forces, fearing it could destabilize security. He emphasized heavy weaponry should be solely with the Iraqi army to avoid misuse in ethnic or partisan conflicts in provinces like Nineveh and Kirkuk.
Despite not naming specific groups, Halbousi’s comments were seen as a response to recent US military aid to the Kurdish Peshmerga forces. Concerns were raised on the growing military capabilities of the Peshmerga, provoking questions about Halbousi’s silence on well-armed pro-Iran militia groups.
The Barzani Headquarters defended the Peshmerga’s role, emphasizing their constitutional duty to protect all ethnicities and religions. The US Consulate in Erbil supported aid to the Peshmerga to combat ISIS and enhance security capabilities.
Tensions between Baghdad and Erbil persist over territorial control, particularly in Kirkuk. Iraqi Kurdistan’s failed independence referendum in 2017 exacerbated the dispute over contested areas.
Halbousi’s concerns shed light on Iraq’s stability challenges concerning territorial disputes, military influence, and weapon distribution, amid ongoing ISIS insurgent attacks.
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