SLC leader highlights security readiness, accuses Turkiye of contributing to Assad’s downfall

Shafaq News/ On Thursday, the leader of the State of Law Coalition (SLC), Nouri al-Maliki, stated that Iraq’s security forces are capable of countering challenges posed by the remnants of ISIS and the Baath Party amid escalating regional instability.

In a televised interview, Al Maliki affirmed, “Iraq is a democratic country with peaceful power transitions, and there are agreements in place with the Coordination Framework and the State Administration Coalition,” adding that Iraq was founded on the constitution and that the country’s path must remain in line with the constitution and legal frameworks.

The SLC leader also highlighted that the "Zionist project" seeks to divide the countries surrounding the Israeli occupation, noting that the Iraqi people are aware that they will bear the cost of any crisis or conflict in the region.

He further stated, "With the Popular Mobilization Forces and the fatwa of the religious authority, we managed to defeat the dangerous ISIS project," stressing that cooperation among the country’s security forces ensures Iraq is prepared to tackle any emerging dangers.

Al-Maliki also accused Turkiye of playing a role in the downfall of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad, describing the Syrian crisis as an unexpected collapse that had broader regional implications. He mentioned that the crisis aimed to stir unrest within Iraq, adding that internal factors in the country also need reconsideration.

He concluded by warning against the "American, Turkish, and Zionist influences" targeting a new map for the Middle East, and cautioning about the remnants of ISIS and the Baath Party's sleeper cells in the desert.