On January 5th, the Iraqi Parliament voted on a resolution to expel US troops from the country. In attendance was caretaker Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi, who, according to reports, provided insight into why specifically Iraq was in this situation, and predominantly spoke about threats that came his way from US President Donald Trump and the US policy towards the country.
The following is the summary of Abdul-Mahdi’s comments during the January 5th Iraqi Parliament vote, according to a report written by journalist Musa Abbas for the Beirut-based publication Illuminations. This report is officially neither confirmed nor denied by the Prime Minister’s office.
Abdul-Mahdi reportedly addressed the Trump administration’s bellicose, hostile posturing against the nation, revealing that the US refused to complete the infrastructure and electricity grid projects unless it is promised 50% of oil revenues. The Prime Minister would not acquiesce to the US’ outlandish demands and rejected making any kind of concession.
https://twitter.com/Ahmedzehzeeh222/status/1214282537092165633
English Translation:
“Very dangerous.
1️⃣ I hope that followers participate and publish on all social media.
Mr. Adel Abdul-Mahdi reveals the most important reasons that prompted him to remain silent and relinquish the office of Prime Minister of Iraq.
Why did Al-Halbousi attend the parliament while most of the Sunni representatives did not attend?
Al-Halbousi was present at the pic.twitter.com/bD7ZI5uGRR.”
— مدAhmad Al-Khazraji🇮🇶 (@ Ahmedzehzeeh222) January 6, 2020
In September of 2019, Abdul-Mahdi and a large Iraqi delegation traveled to China for an official state visit. During the visit, he and Chinese President Xi Jinping entered into an important agreement between their respective countries, in which China would takeover finishing the construction of the projects instead of the US. He also announced Iraq would be joining China’s One Belt One Road Initiative — a global infrastructure network spearheaded by President Xi to increase Beijing’s economic influence.
President Donald Trump allegedly called Abdul-Mahdi and furiously demanded that he rescind the agreement with China; otherwise, Trump threatened, massive demonstrations would be staged against him that would force him out of his seat.
Abdul-Mahdi’s account fits the timeline: A 50-person Iraqi delegation visited China in September 2019; protests began on October 1st, receded to observe a religious holiday, and then ramped up once again on October 25th. The demonstrations were further inflamed by antagonistic propaganda from mainstream media outlets.
Yes a 50-person delegation visited China in 2019 and then the protests started on October 1st until the Arbaeen dates, then picked up again on Oct 25th. I'm skeptical about the 3rd party but the timing itself was interesting. The flames were fanned by Gulf media and Al-Hurra. https://t.co/1dSiuH8ez5
— TØM CΛT (@TomtheBasedCat) January 7, 2020
Then, when massive demonstrations materialized against Abdul-Mahdi, the Iraqi leader claims Trump made another telephone call to intimidate him. The US President allegedly threatened to position US marine snipers “atop the highest buildings” who will target and kill protesters and security forces alike, in an attempt to pressure the Prime Minister to concede.
Instead of complying, Adel Abdul-Mahdi refused and turned in his resignation; regardless, the US still attempted coercing him to cancel the deal with China.
Later, after the Iraqi Minister of Defense publicly stated that a third party was responsible for targeting both protesters and security forces alike, Abdul-Mahdi says Trump immediately made another menacing phone call to him, threatening to kill both him and the Minister of Defense if they revealed who the “third party” was.
Furthermore, the Iraqi Prime Minister revealed that Iran’s Quds Force Commander General Qassem Soleimani had traveled to Baghdad at his invitation to participate in reconciliation negotiations with Saudi Arabia when he was assassinated by a US drone strike.
We have learned today from #Iraq Prime Minister AdilAbdl Mahdi how @realDonaldTrump uses diplomacy:#US asked #Iraq to mediate with #Iran. Iraq PM asks #QassemSoleimani to come and talk to him and give him the answer of his mediation, Trump &co assassinate an envoy at the airport
— Elijah J. Magnier (@ejmalrai) January 5, 2020
On January 6th, Russia and China blocked an anti-Iranian resolution in the UN Security Council, indicating that any statement by the Security Council regarding the attack on the US Embassy in Baghdad should also include the latest developments.
“We have seen more events taking place, especially the unilateral action from the United States,” China’s UN ambassador, Zhang Jun, told reporters. “If the council is supposed to do something, we should have complete coverage of the whole thing.”
Russian UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia echoed Zhang’s remarks.
“The press statement was nearly ready. It was agreed upon, at least with us and with the U.S.. However then, on 3 January, there was that strike on the airport in Baghdad. To ignore this and not to take this into account in the overall context would be impossible,” Nebenzia told reporters.
The US Embassy in New Delhi, India has been closed due to mass protests. Protesters are seen burning flags of the USA and Israel.
The Prime Minister of Malaysia has called on Muslim countries to unite to protect themselves from foreign attacks and killings.
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