Iraqi Prime Minister: Soleimani's Open Presence in Battles Was a 'Bad Idea'

Haider al-Abadi stated that he welcomed Iran's assistance in combating the 'Islamic State' in Iraq, but described Qassem Soleimani's open presence in the country's battlefields as a 'bad idea.' During a speech at the 'Center for Strategic and International Studies' in Washington, D.C., on April 16, he thanked Tehran for its support while emphasizing that 'we must decide what Iran is doing in Iraq and what it is not doing.' Abadi noted that the issue of Iraq's territorial integrity is 'very sensitive' to them, stating, 'Iraqis are sacrificing their lives to preserve their country.' He further added, 'Iraqis will not accept to be shown as if others are going to do this for them.' He reiterated that it was a 'bad idea' for Qassem Soleimani to have such an open and public presence in the battlefields against the 'Islamic State' in the country. In recent weeks, Iraqi Shiite militia forces, along with the country's army, began operations to retake Tikrit from the hands of Islamist militants. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps also provided support to Iraqi forces in these battles. This operation ultimately led to the expulsion of the 'Islamic State' through airstrikes by the U.S.-led coalition, which occurred at the request of the Prime Minister after initial advances were halted. During this time, various photos of Qassem Soleimani in the battlefields of Iraq were published. The Iraqi Prime Minister also referred to this issue, stating, 'They (Iranians) said this propaganda is not their work - someone else did it. I still don't know who, but it is someone else.' Abadi mentioned that he discussed the issue of the photos with Tehran. The widespread publication of images of Soleimani's presence in the battlefronts in Iraq has faced criticism from the Iraqi Prime Minister. Before the Iraqi Prime Minister personally stated that he had discussed the published images with Tehran, the commander of the IRGC's Quds Force also criticized what was being said about him on social media. Qassem Soleimani, in a letter to the director of the film 'Sardar' on April 11, stated that this matter is 'against the political and security interests of the country.' Previously, U.S. President Barack Obama, following a conversation with the Iraqi Prime Minister, who was a guest in Washington, mentioned that all actions by countries providing assistance must be conducted with respect for Iraq's national sovereignty. In this context, Biden stated: 'Iran wanted to show it was retaking Tikrit alone.' Obama emphasized that Iranian forces must respect Iraq's national sovereignty.