Hashd al-Shaabi prevents Shia Kurds from observing Ashura in Peshmerga-controlled areas
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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – Iranian-backed Shia militia Hashd al-Shaabi prevented Shia Kurds, known as Shabaks, from the Nineveh Plain in Peshmerga-held areas to commemorate the religious day of Ashura.
On Sunday, dozens of Shabaks from Hashd al-Shaabi-controlled regions were prevented from observing their religious day at the Imam Riza shrine in the Tiskhrab village near Bashiqa, northeast of Mosul.
Shabaks commemorate Ashura at the shrine of Imam al-Rida in the village of Tiskharab. pic.twitter.com/D9dUzoKznM
— Shabaks of Ninewa (@ShabaksofNinewa) October 1, 2017
According to a Kurdistan 24 reporter at the scene, Peshmerga forces opened their front lines so the Shabaks could celebrate at the Shia shrine.
Captain Mamand, a Peshmerga commander, confirmed to Kurdistan 24 that the Hashd al-Shaabi prohibited Shabaks from reaching the Kurdish forces’ front line and visit the Tiskhrab village.
“We received orders from the Peshmerga Command to open the front lines for the Shabaks and warmly welcome them to attend the religious ritual,” Mamand said.
According to the Peshmerga commander, after the Shabaks approached the front lines, eight armored vehicles belonging to the Hashd al-Shaabi showed up and prevented them from reaching the shrine.
PMF prevents movement between Kurdish-held Tiskharab and Iraqi-held Tarbazawah by obstructing the road. pic.twitter.com/omdHotDtvb
— Shabaks of Ninewa (@ShabaksofNinewa) October 1, 2017
“The residents of these areas are always ready to practice their religious rituals at the shrine, but Hashd al-Shaabi forces denied them this right,” Captain Mamand said.
Shia Muslims across the world participate in religious ceremonies on Ashura—a day where Shia’s mourn the killing of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, in the seventh century.
The religious celebration falls on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar.
Editing by Karzan Sulaivany