ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said he is expecting more executions of “terrorists” and slammed some media for using “terrorist acts” as propaganda during a speech on Tuesday. He also touched on election meddling, water shortages, and avoiding partisanship in the next government.
"We are chasing them. That is why terrorist acts can't be magnified. This is what Daesh aims to achieve," said Abadi during his weekly press conference in Baghdad.
Abadi declared ISIS defeated in December 2017. On Tuesday, Iraqi state TV announced that Iraqi Security Forces killed 14 ISIS members in an operation in southern Kirkuk province.
"Look at some satellite channels. The show is half-an-hour, but it doesn't mention Daesh even once, as though Daesh isn't its enemy. Its enemy is something else,” he added without specifying what broadcasters he was referring to.
Locals have told Rudaw Iraqi Army forces return to their bases at night, allowing ISIS and other gangs to kill, kidnap, and steal from unprotected citizens like in the Hamrin Mountains which straddle Diyala and Kirkuk provinces.
"I assure you, that because Daesh is hiding in mountains, and in caves, which I call 'rat hideouts' — means that they don't have presence among our citizens,” added Abadi.
Abadi’s government, the parliament, and the judiciary have been accused of meddling in elections. The premier, whose term has been extended by the Shiite-dominated parliament, rejected those claims. Instead, he blamed parties and said the government encouraged Iraq’s independent election body to purchase the electronic voting devices from a trusted company.
"They chose the commission [based on] despicable partisanship. Everyone chose one for itself,” he said. “When the scale of the catastrophe caused by these blocs was revealed, unfortunately they started saying another thing.
"It can't be that someone corrupt in my party is good but the corrupt in the other party is bad. All the corrupt are bad. You saw the results."
Abadi sees a less partisan government ahead, despite the top four vote-getters being from Shiite parties.
"We are trying to convince political blocs, to abstain from partisanship, partisanship alone. Meaning, you tell me this is your share and you will do as you want. No it isn't like that," said Abadi, reiterating that he wants the formation of the next government “to be sped up.”
Moving into summer, Iraq’s water and energy consumption has been brought to the forefront, as farmers have been told not to plant. The country is heavily dependent on its northern and eastern neighbors for water — both of which have built dams.
"There is continuous communication with the Turkish and Iranian sides to guarantee there is no harm or decrease to Iraq's share of drinkable water,” said Abadi.
Geographically, the Kurdistan Region holds much of the country’s water resources because of mountain runoff, rivers, lakes, and dams.
"It isn't allowed to take over and strip the water share from others," said Abadi, not specifying, but explaining Baghdad is communicating with all other provinces.
Iraqi forces were put on high alert after the Ministry of Justice executed “12 convicted terrorists” in al-Nasiryah Prison on Thursday, following growing public unrest and an order by Abadi.
“I am not a judge, and neither the government is the judiciary to judge. We just speed up the routine and they were executed."
He blamed that "a very wide amnesty" law passed by parliament for stalling the process.
"We don't execute innocent people at all in Iraq, but criminals and terrorists will have to face their just punishment," Abadi said, revealing another batch will soon face justice.
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