Al-Kadhimi: We must all cooperate to stop those who provoke this strife

Iraq's Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mustafa al-Kadhimi, direct a message to the demonstrators and political blocks regarding the latest developments.

The transcript of the speech of Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi regarding the developments in current events:

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Our great Iraqi people.
My sisters and brothers, My sons and daughters
My good family.

Peace Be Upon You and God's Mercy and Blessings

I address you in this very critical circumstance, with all sincerity and love, and in this holy and sacred month, and we are a people known for believing in noble values and principles. We pardon and forgive for the sake of brotherhood and equality and for the great humane and national goal.

This enduring and sacrificial people, that have always given for the sake of Iraq from its northernmost to its southernmost and from its east to its west, deserve from us a response befitting the scale of these sacrifices.

Our people yearn for life, and they dislike strife, blood, conflict, revenge, and fighting, and they dislike spite and hatred, and they look forward to a future that is befitting the sacrifices and suffering they went through.

Accordingly, the political blocs must sit down, negotiate and reach an understanding for the sake of Iraq and the Iraqis, and the language of treason and exclusion must be avoided, and a high and inclusive national spirit must be exhibited. A thousand days of quiet dialogue is better than a moment in which a drop of Iraqi blood is shed.

I call on everyone to be calm, patient, and rational and not be drawn into confrontation, and I call on citizens not to clash with the security forces and to respect state institutions.

We must all cooperate to stop those who provoke this strife, and everyone must know very well that the fire of strife will burn everyone.

The situation is very difficult, and this is regretfully the painful reality; and we must cooperate and unite together so as not to drive ourselves into the abyss. We have to use our minds, hearts, and conscience and rally around Iraq and the Iraqis, not follow narrow interests.

Everyone bears the responsibility, the parties, the political class, the social forces, and other influencers. We have to say it: Yes, everyone must act according to the rules of wisdom and clear insight for the sake of Iraq so that we do not lose again.

Iraq is trusted in our hands, so let's not lose this trust.

This, I say to you honestly, and I hear what is said in secret and in public, and we are honest, but we hope that others will be honest this time for the sake of Iraq and the Iraqis.

We will bear the responsibility, and we are ready to do anything for Iraq without hesitation. The dilemma at hand is political, and its solution is political. The solution is possible through sincere and constructive dialogue and making concessions for the sake of Iraq and the Iraqis.

There are enough wise people and brave men in Iraq but beware of the continuation of political tension, lest the mines, which we have sought in the past two years to quietly dismantle, explode.

Bless you
Long-live Iraq as a homeland for our children and for us
Peace Be Upon You and God's Mercy and Blessings

Mustafa Al-Kadhimi
Prime Minister
Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces
30th July 2022



PUKmedia/PM Media Office