Iraqi Official Warns of US Activation of ISIS Cells in Western Iraq Amid Political Tensions
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Aqil al-Ridaini, a prominent member of Iraq‘s Al-Nasr Coalition, issued a stark warning on Wednesday about the potential reactivation of ISIS cells in western Iraq. The warning comes amid heightened political tensions over the possible nomination of Nouri al-Maliki for the prime ministerial position by the Coordination Framework.
Al-Ridaini asserted that the pressure exerted by US President Donald Trump has crossed all red lines, with recent American threats regarding the prime ministerial selection carrying sinister implications for destabilizing Iraq’s internal affairs. He stated, ‘Washington is openly threatening that if the Coordination Framework nominates Nouri al-Maliki for prime minister, it will activate the ISIS file and reignite chaos.’
The Iraqi politician condemned the use of terrorism as a tool for political pressure, calling it a blatant American tactic against national sovereignty. He urged members of the Coordination Framework to respond decisively to Trump’s statements and prevent the White House from dictating Iraq’s political roadmap through security threats. ‘Any effort to mobilize terrorists at this critical juncture aims to weaken Iraq and force it to submit to foreign dictates,’ al-Ridaini emphasized.
He further called on Iraqi security forces and Popular Mobilization Units to remain on high alert to crush any schemes seeking to exploit the political crisis to revive terrorism in western provinces. These warnings emerge as the Trump administration intensifies tensions, with intelligence reports linking accelerated developments in Syria to US political pressure on Baghdad.
Additional reports indicate that the escape of hundreds of terrorists from prisons controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) is being viewed by observers as a ‘ticking time bomb’ intended to pressure Iraqi governments that do not align with Washington’s demands.
