Categories: Middle East

Iraqi Grand Ayatollah calls for unity against DAESH

Iraqi Shiite Grand Ayatollah has called for unity among all of the country’s political and army factions against the terrorist DAESH.

Ayatollah Sistani

Ayatollah Sayed Ali Sistani released a statement on Tuesday and condemned the capture of the Nineveh province. The Shiite cleric called for unity among all of the country’s political factions against the militants, reported Alalam TV channel.

Iraq’s cities Mosul (Ninevah province) and Kirkuk (same province name) were severely attacked and occupied by DAESH (so called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, the Arabic abbreviation) since Tuesday morning.

The al-Qaedeh linked group occupied the cities and Iraqi army forces abandoned their posts and residents had to leave their homes.

The militants have also managed to launch attacks in the capital city Baghdad and in other parts Iraq.

A source in Iraq’s defense ministry said that Tuesday night they sent Special Forces to Mosul which was occupied by DAESH.

Nour al-Maleki, Iraq’s Prime Minister, issued a state of emergency throughout the country. He said that all whose negligence lead to such results would be strongly punished.

Emad Askarieh

Emad Askarieh has worked as a journalist since 2002. The main focus of his work is foreign policy and world diplomacy. He started his career at Iran Front Page Media Group, and is currently serving as the World Editor and the Vice-President for Executive Affairs at the Iran Front Page (IFP) news website.