Influential Iraqi Shia leader Moqtada al-Sadr on Friday called on the Baghdad government to dismantle the paramilitary Hashed al-Shaabi umbrella organisation dominated by Iran-backed Shiite militias. In a speech broadcast on huge screens, Sadr urged Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to dismantle Hashed and “integrate into the army the disciplined members” of the paramilitary force, an AFP reporter said. Sadr also called on the authorities to “seize the arsenal of all armed groups”. On Thursday, Sadr issued a new call for protests in Baghdad and other cities to denounce “corrupt politicians” and demand reforms. Last week he paid a visit to Saudi Arabia, with his office saying in a statement the trip was in response to an “official invitation”.

Source: Hindustan Times August 04, 2017 18:56 UTC