Adıl Abdul Mehdi who has just taken office as the Prime Minister of Iraq, has visited the Iraqi Joint Operations Command and met with headquarters commanders.

Speaking after the visit, Abdul Mehdi stated that Iranian-backed Hashd al-Shaabi militia was a part of Iraqi armed forces.

The Prime Minister continued; “We appreciate the historic role of the fatwas issued by the religious authority regarding the mobilization of Iraqi population and armed forces. The assistance provided by Hashd al-Shaabi, Peshmerga and other armed forces has led to a victory in the fight against ISIS.”

Calling attention to the discussions on Hashd al-Shaabi, the PM pointed out that the militia was a part of Iraq’s armed forces and that all these these forces served under the same order.

Abdul Mahdi remarked that Iraq has achieved great successes in the fight against ISIS and Al-Qaeda, adding that the struggle continues against the remnants of these groups. The PM called for support from friendly states in the anti-ISIS fight.