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IS threats to target polling stations an attempt to gather militants
Bagdad (IraqiNews.com) The Iraqi forces have responded to the threats made by Islamic State over attempts to target candidates running for the elections, considering this as attempt to gather the members.In remarks to New al-Arabi website, Brig. Gen. Yehia Rasool, spokesperson for the Joint Operations Command, said, “It’s not the first time to have elections in Iraq. There are plans currently drawn by out troops. Operations will be carried out by our troops to arrest the remaining militants of Islamic State.” “We are dealing with a terrorist enemy, however, we would like to reassure the Iraqi people that our forces are doing great efforts and will totally secure the balloting process,” he added. Earlier today, IS threatened to carry out terrorist attacks at polling stations in Iraq’s parliamentary elections. Rasool described the statement as weak and “an attempt to gather the militants, however, we are dealing with all these threats seriously.” The Iraqi parliamentary elections is scheduled to take place on May 12. The elections were originally scheduled for September 2017, but were delayed due to the country’s fight against Islamic State. Audio message from IS not yet verified Baghdad (Iraqinews.com) – In an audio message released on Monday, the group’s spokesman Abul Hassan al-Mohajer said, “All those who participate in the (parliamentary) elections, whether candidates or voters, are infidels and should be dead.” The recording has not been verified yet, according to the Rawabet Center for Research and Strategic Studies. Nearly 7,000 Iraqi candidates started on Sunday their campaigning for parliamentary elections, in which they compete for 329 seats. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has promised successful elections despite the challenges of stabilizing areas retaken from IS and returning millions of residents displaced by war to their homes. In a telephone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump earlier this month, “emphasized the importance of the success of the upcoming elections to complete the building and construction phase,” a White House statement said. Posted by: trailing wife 2018-04-24 |
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