Abadi speaks of what many Iraqis seek: decentralization
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Iraq is strongest when it embraces its diversity and decentralizes its power structures, the country’s Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi said in opening remarks at the 68-member meeting of the global anti-ISIS coalition in Washington, D.C on Wednesday.
“Decentralization strengthens Iraq, and we provide more powers, more authorities,” Abadi said. “We are committed to that and we cannot ever go back on that, just as we launched our major project to stabilize and to return major, essential services through the liberation and through also having major committees in each governorate that work with the governors to implements these projects.”
Decentralization shouldn’t equate to disunity of the country despite these differences, Abadi explained.
Abadi cited the joint operation by the Kurdish Peshmerga and Iraqi troops against ISIS in Mosul and other areas as a successful example of cooperation between the country’s different groups.
“Today, Iraqis are fighting side by side with the Peshmergas, not against each other, but together against the terrorism of Daesh,” the PM said. “This is not a matter of interests, it is the relationship between the Iraqi army and the Peshmerga has been sound and excellent, and there is a great deal of cooperation and understanding.”
The Kurdish Peshmerga joined the operation to liberate Mosul from ISIS in October by pushing the radical groups from parts of the Nineveh plains and opening the road for Iraqi troops to storm the city.
The Peshmerga-Iraqi cooperation has been similarly praised by leaders of the coalition countries.
“Decentralization strengthens Iraq, and we provide more powers, more authorities,” Abadi said. “We are committed to that and we cannot ever go back on that, just as we launched our major project to stabilize and to return major, essential services through the liberation and through also having major committees in each governorate that work with the governors to implements these projects.”
Decentralization shouldn’t equate to disunity of the country despite these differences, Abadi explained.
“Today, we demonstrate to the others that we remain united, despite the divergent perspectives in Iraq and the divergent affiliations,” he said. "Iraq since its history has always seen such diversity and lived for centuries with such diversity.”
Abadi cited the joint operation by the Kurdish Peshmerga and Iraqi troops against ISIS in Mosul and other areas as a successful example of cooperation between the country’s different groups.
“Today, Iraqis are fighting side by side with the Peshmergas, not against each other, but together against the terrorism of Daesh,” the PM said. “This is not a matter of interests, it is the relationship between the Iraqi army and the Peshmerga has been sound and excellent, and there is a great deal of cooperation and understanding.”
The Kurdish Peshmerga joined the operation to liberate Mosul from ISIS in October by pushing the radical groups from parts of the Nineveh plains and opening the road for Iraqi troops to storm the city.
The Peshmerga-Iraqi cooperation has been similarly praised by leaders of the coalition countries.