Saudi Arabia welcomed prime minister by killing PMU forces: Iraqi cleric

A prominent Iraqi cleric has slammed Saudi Arabia for welcoming Iraq’s prime minister by attacking the country and killing Iraqi resistance fighters, while warning of coordinated US and Israeli efforts to undermine this year’s Arbaeen pilgrimage.

Ayatollah Sayed Yasin Mousawi, a senior scholar at the Najaf Seminary, said the Iraqi people share a deep emotional and religious bond with Imam Hussein (AS), stressing that the annual Arbaeen pilgrimage has become a source of concern for the United States and Israel.

“Colonial powers fear this pilgrimage. The Americans are afraid of it, and so are the Israelis,” al-Mousawi said, noting that large sums have been spent on media campaigns aimed at discouraging participation in the pilgrimage by spreading doubt and misinformation.

He also added that the United States and Saudi Arabia are seeking to derail this year’s Arbaeen pilgrimage by escalating tensions in southern Iraq, which is hosting tens of millions of pilgrims from Iraq and abroad, including Shia and Sunni Muslims, Christians, and Mandaeans.

Calling on Iraqis to remain committed to the religious event, al-Mousawi urged the public not to allow the United States or Israel to interfere in the pilgrimage.

The cleric further emphasized the need for unity among Iraqis, Iranians, and the peoples of the Persian Gulf region, warning against attempts by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and other Persian Gulf states to drive a wedge between Iraq and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Addressing Iraqi leaders, al-Mousawi urged them not to yield to US President Donald Trump’s demands.

“Do not surrender to Trump’s demands. By God, he will not fulfill any of the promises he has made to you,” he said.

Referring to the Iraqi prime minister’s recent regional visits, al-Mousawi stated that after meeting Trump and returning with expectations, the premier sought agreements with Saudi Arabia.

“But Saudi Arabia ultimately welcomed him by killing our sons, attacking our armed forces, and launching war against us,” he said.

US, Saudi Arabia launch joint aggression against Iraqi resistance

The US and Saudi Arabia wage coordinated aerial aggression against several bases and weapons depots belonging to Iraq

On Wednesday, the United States and Saudi Arabia carried out coordinated aerial aggression against several bases and weapons depots belonging to Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMU), also known as Hashd al-Sha’abi.

In separate statements, the Saudi defense ministry and the US Central Command announced the joint aggression, claiming it targeted bases and weapons storage facilities belonging to the PMU, which serves as a coalition of anti-terror resistance groups.

According to preliminary reports, citing the Iraqi resistance groups, at least 20 members of the anti-terror group were martyred, and 32 others were wounded in the attack.

Al-Mousawi also stressed that Iraq needs a strong military capable of defending the country’s airspace and territory.

He further warned against continued US efforts to disarm Iraqi resistance groups and the PMU, saying Washington remains determined to pursue that objective.

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