Hashd al-Shaabi Militias to Run for Iraq’s Parliamentary Elections

Hashd al-Shaabi Militias to Run for Iraq’s Parliamentary Elections
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BAGHDAD — Dozens of political parties and entities registered for Iraq’s upcoming parliamentary elections are directly linked with the Iranian-backed militia groups of Hashd al-Shaabi, a source for the Iraqi High Independent Electoral Commission confirmed.

The finalised list of political entities running for the elections, which has also received approval of the electoral commission, includes political wings of Asaib Ahl al-Hagh, Hezbollah, Imam Ali etc. 

The mentioned groups are all operating under the umbrella of Hashd al-Shaabi.

The remarks are in obvious contrast with an earlier statement by Iraqi Prime Haider al-Abadi who had claimed that Hashd al-Shaabi and its militias groups will not be allowed to take part in political activities and run for the elections.

The official from the Iraqi electoral commission believes that Abadi’s statement is false, and it only intends to prevent a backlash on his government.

Another source from the commission has revealed to Arabi al-Jadid that from a total of 160 political entities registered for the 2018 elections, at least 23 of them are linked to the militia groups of Hashd al-Shaabi.

The candidates of these groups have claimed resignation from Hashd al-Shaabi; however, reliable sources indicate that they are still active within these armed groups.

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