Rep. Franks Calls for De-escalation of Iranian-backed Militia’s Mobilization Against the Kurds

Source: Trent Franks (R-AR, 8th)

Washington, D.C. - October 15, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Over the past couple days, there has been a large concentration of up to 9,000 troops from the Popular Mobilization Front [PMU] and Iraqi Army in the vicinity of Kirkuk and Mosul – less than 100 kilometers to the south and west of Erbil, respectively. In reaction to the reports, Congressman Trent Franks released the following statement:

“The PMU, or Hash’d al Shaabi, is an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-backed militia led by the Badr Corps Commander, Hadi Al-Ameri. In addition to being the top lieutenant to Qassem Soleimani (commander of the IRGC Quds Force), Al-Ameri is the leading candidate for Prime Minister of Iraq. The situation is becoming dangerous and could easily escalate. The Iraqi government must demand these militias deescalate and decamp their forces. I urge Iraqi Prime Minister al-Abadi to fulfill the pledge made less than two weeks ago to prevent any external or internal attacks against the Kurds.

“In midst of our success against the Islamic State, Iran has clearly been embedding itself as deeply as possible into the Iraqi government and military. It is past time for Baghdad to prove to us they are not a puppet of Tehran; it is no longer tenable for the U.S. to give the government of Iraq money if the funds will simply flow into the coffers of men and forces allied with Iran.”

“Consequently, it is time for the American government to cease its studied indifference to our loyal allies, the Kurds. We must embrace Kurdish self-determination, encourage increased control of the Nineveh Plain by indigenous Christian defense forces and demand Baghdad cease their duplicitous relationship with Iran -- if the U.S. is to remain Iraq’s benefactor. Our fight against ISIS will be for nothing if it results in ceding control of Iraq to Iran.”