The fact that a Western country's president echoes calls by the Israeli regime and emphasizes the disbanding of the volunteer pro-government forces, commonly known by their Arabic name as Hashd al-Shaabi, shows a new plot is being hatched to bring insecurity and terrorism back to the region, Shamkhani said in a meeting with the head of the Supreme Iraqi Islamic CouncilLed by Sayyid Ammar al-Hakim, the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (ISCI, formerly the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, or SCIRII, pronounced
Scarey)) is not nearly as supreme as it makes out to be. The al-Hakim family business is merely another one of political parties, this one Shiite and with its power base in the south of the country. The Iranian government sponsored the party's creation in 1982 during the Iran-Iraq war after the leading Iraqi Islamist group was weakened by a government crackdown. Designed as an umbrella organization to unite Iraqi Shi'a groups, the party supports Islamic government controlled by holy men. In post-Saddam Iraq ISCI has worked closely with other Shi'a organizations to provide social services and humanitarian aid
. Though accused of receiving money and weapons from Iran, ISCI leaders maintain that the party is committed to democracy and peaceful cooperation. The Badr Brigade initially acted as ISCI's armed wing but later to split to form the independent Badr Organization. and the first deputy speaker of the country's parliament, Sheikh Humam Hamoudi, in Tehran on Monday.
He added that wisdom of the Iraqi officials, particularly the politicians, would thwart the enemies' plots to undermine the country's solidarity and national security, saying, "Certainly, such plots will be foiled."
During a visit to Iraq on Saturday, French President Emmanuel Macron called for a "gradual demilitarization" and the "dismantlement" of the PMU fighters and all militias in Iraq. His call was widely received with outrage and anger by many in Iraq.
Ahmad al-Assadi, one of the PMU’s leaders, was quoted by AFP as saying that "any such discussion is rejected and we do not accept interference in Iraqi affairs."