Iraqi army imposes curfew in Dujail after clashes between Iran-backed militia group, tribal fighters

The Iraqi army has imposed a curfew in the town of al-Dujail, in northern Iraq, following clashes between an Iran-backed militia group and tribal fighters in the area.

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Iraqi army has imposed a curfew in the town of al-Dujail, in northern Iraq, following clashes between an Iran-backed militia group and tribal fighters in the area.

On Wednesday, clashes erupted between the Asaib Ahl al-Haq militia and tribal fighters after the latter set up a checkpoint in Salahuddin Province’s Dujail town following the death of three senior members (Sheikhs) of the Khazraj tribe, Iraqi media outlets reported.

The three Sheikhs were found dead hours after their kidnapping on Wednesday by an unknown armed group near another checkpoint belonging to the Iraqi security forces.

According to al-Arabia news outlet, the Iraqi army declared a curfew in the town.

In a statement on Thursday, the Khazraj tribe called on Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, Interior Minister Qasim al-Araji, and the Hashd al-Shaabi to intervene immediately and release the hostages reportedly kidnapped by Asaib Ahl al-Haq.
The tribe also urged the officials to resolve the conflict and end the sedition in the Dujail district after the assassination of the tribe’s Sheikhs.

In mid-July, Khaled al-Saadi, a member of the Executive Office of Asaib Ahl al-Haq, vowed that “any hand that approaches [the party’s] offices and headquarters…will be cut off immediately.”

“We do not need permission from anyone, and we will not wait for the green light from anyone,” he continued.

“Any tongue speaking badly of the Islamic Resistance of Asaib Ahl al-Haq will be silenced.”

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany