Asaib Ahl al-Haq, an Iraqi resistance faction, celebrated its 20th anniversary on May 6, with Secretary-General Qais Khazali stating that the group had conducted 5,000 military operations against occupying US troops. Khazali also asserted that Asaib Ahl al-Haq would continue its operations against American occupiers in Iraq. While Washington maintains that it has ended its combat presence in Iraq, it still has 2,500 US military personnel in the country, who will remain there as per Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s March visit to Baghdad.
Resistance Ceases Attacks to Allow Iraqi Prime Minister Time for Diplomacy
A recent report indicated that the Iraqi resistance had paused its attacks against US troops to give Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani time to reorganize his cabinet and call for the ouster of foreign troops diplomatically. The report suggested that there were ongoing negotiations between the resistance and Sudani over the matter. However, the Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba group, led by Nasr al-Shammari, said that it did not adhere to any political agreement that involved a ceasefire or reduction of tensions with American occupation forces. It reiterated its position that the occupation forces were legitimate targets in Iraq and the wider West Asian region as long as they remained present.
Asaib Ahl al-Haq Guards Holy Sites Against Takfiri Groups
Kazali stated that his group had played a key role in guarding holy sites against Takfiri groups like ISIS, whose presence in Iraq was a direct result of the US invasion in 2003. The group’s stance on foreign presence in Iraq was also reflected in a statement from KSS, another resistance group, which stressed that Iraqis should expel foreign troops from the country.
Resistance Prepared to Lay Down Lives for Iraq and its People
Despite the US’s continued military presence in Iraq, Asaib Ahl al-Haq remains dedicated to the principles and ideals upon which it was founded. Kazali reaffirmed the group’s readiness to lay down its life for Iraq and its people, indicating that the group would not back down from its commitment to expel foreign troops from the country.
Period of Calm May End Soon
The report suggesting a ‘period of calm’ in Iraq has been attributed to the resistance’s temporary cessation of attacks against US troops. However, given the Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba’s position and the overall resistance’s dedication to the removal of foreign forces, the period of calm may end soon, as negotiations with Sudani prove fruitless.
Overall, the anniversary speech by Asaib Ahl al-Haq’s Kazali reiterates the Iraqi resistance’s stance on foreign occupation, particularly the US’s continued presence in the country. While the resistance has paused its attacks to allow for diplomacy, the potential for renewed violence remains high. 1. Who is Asaib Ahl al-Haq and what is their history and background?
2. What is the current political and security situation in Iraq with regards to the presence of US troops and the activities of resistance factions such as Asaib Ahl al-Haq?
3. What role does Asaib Ahl al-Haq play in guarding holy sites against Takfiri groups such as ISIS, and what is their stance on Takfiri ideology?
4. What are the negotiations between Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada and Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani regarding the ouster of foreign troops from Iraq, and what are the potential implications of these negotiations for Iraq’s political and security situation?
5. What is the stance of Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba group on the deployment of US forces in Iraq, and how does it differ from other resistance factions such as Asaib Ahl al-Haq?
