Alwaght- Following the anti-ISIS Iraqi breakthroughs in Fallujah and other parts of ISIS-held regions, the Iraqi capital Baghdad was rocked by a series of terrorist attacks and blasts on Saturday, the same type of bombings the Iraqi capital suffered from since the time of US invasion in 2003, and later in recent years when the ISIS terror group captured several Iraqi cities. The blasts continued to pose a security challenge to the capital to the date. The Iraqi leaders did not hide their concerns over possible security breaches in Baghdad. They strengthened the defense lines of Baghdad and equipped the security forces tasked with protection of the capital with bomb-detecting devices mostly provided to Iraq by Britain. But the later bombings triggered a debate on if London sold Baghdad fake bomb-detectors.
Concerning the Saturday Baghdad bombings the Alwaght has conducted an interview with Sayyed Hamed Jazaieri, the commander of Brigade 18 of Iraq’s Public Mobilization Forces (PMF) on security matters and conditions in the country.
Alwaght: The recent blasts in Baghdad’s Karrada district took lives of over 200 Iraqi civilians. How do you see the causes and drives of this terrorist act?
Jazaieri: Here, a couple of issues are significant. First, by this blast, the terrorists of ISIS after losing Fallujah to the Iraqi forces which caused felicity among the Iraqis sought to take revenge on the Iraqis. Second, the terrorists always made efforts to destabilize Baghdad’s safe districts in a bid to tell Baghdad that they are still out there, to make up for the consecutive losses they received from the Iraqi forces. Third, the country's security authorities are negligent, and the security command post in Baghdad is not experienced enough to provide the security of citizens and foil the terrorist attacks. Additionally, some security agents even supply the takfiris with security information, however, they are not prosecuted yet despite existence of evidences.
Alwaght: Are the PMF ready to assist the government in provision of security in Baghdad?
Jazaieri: They fully reserve the readiness to help the government, and repeatedly such an offer of help was made to the government. The government was suggested to use the PMF fighters who hold convenient experience in securing the holy cities of Iraq. But the government declined to respond to the offers. We hope that the government gives it a second thought and takes advantage of the capabilities of the PMF for security of Baghdad.
Alwaght: In 2013, the Iraqi government bought bomb-detecting devices from Britain, but later it became evident that they were fake and failed to perform their duties. The businessman who imported the bomb-detectors was tried and sentenced to 10 years in prison. He is still in prison. Why do you think London exported such fake devices to Iraq, and why the government at the time didn't collect them?
Jazaieri: The exporting of fake bomb-detectors to Iraq was one of the most dangerous works of not only Britain but also the US. It dealt the biggest blow to the country's security forces. They not only didn't work but also stood as destabilizing tools in Iraq. Britain sent these fake devices to Iraq purposely, aiming at implementing its plans in Iraq for final goal of insecurity of the country. If these devices were accurate in detection, the terrorists could not cross the checkpoints undetected, and so many of these bombs could not go off.
Alwaght: We are witnessing an overactivity of the Saudi ambassador, and he in and out of embassy meets with the opposition figures. Could you find a link between the recent insecurity in Iraq and these suspicious moves?
Jazaieri: We have precise information that show that the Saudi ambassador to Baghdad is leading organized attempts to pave the way for more chaos and division in Iraq. By offering presents and big bribes to some of the tribal leaders he is hiring some elements to destabilize Iraq, especially Baghdad. Some of them unfortunately cooperated with the Saudi ambassador. The major agenda and project of Riyadh’s ambassador is fanning sectarianism and ethnicism in Iraq. The current clashes between southern tribes in the country is majorly ignited and fueled by Saudi Arabia.
Alwaght: How was the Iraqi people's reaction to all these interventions?
Jazaieri: So far massive rallies were organized by different Iraqi parties and movements to protest the Saudi Arabian intervention in Iraq, calling on the Saudi ambassador to be expelled from Baghdad, and even Saudi embassy to be closed down, or at least the Saudi ambassador who is a security and military agent and has a past of military activities in his Lebanon record be changed. So far, the government declined to listen to the popular demands due to its fresh approach on developing ties with the neighbors, but should Riyadh keeps intervening, the government would review its approach.
