The Asaib al-Haq and Kata’ib Hezbollah, which are both branches of the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) Quds Force in Iraq, are killing protesters through any means necessary, including dispatching snipers to assassinate demonstration leaders, firing directly at demonstrators, and attacking the offices of various media outlets.

It should be noted that these Iran-backed mercenaries also attacked the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI, Mujahedin-e Khalq or MEK) during their stay in camps Ashraf and Liberty in Iraq

Senior Iraqi security officials said that the Iraqi government dispatched Iran-backed armed groups, who answer directly to IRGC Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani, to suppress the protests. This lead to the killing of protesters to create a climate of fear. It was reported that Soleimani established a “war room” in Baghdad and is campaigning units of the Asaeb al-Haq, Iraqi Hezbollah and the Badr Corps to confront the Iraqi demonstrations.

 Videos posted online show that most of those killed were unarmed and not posing a threat, but they were certainly condemning Iran’s influence in Iraq, yelling “Iran, out, out!”.

In yet more disturbing news, many journalists and activists reporting on the protests have left Iraq after warrants were issued for their arrest based on Iraq’s terrorism law, but the National Security Council are denying its anything to do with them and blame the PMF instead.

It is clear that Iran sees preventing popular protests in Iraq as essential to their rule, which is why 7,500 troops have been dispatched to Iraq under the pretext of providing protection during a religious ceremony.

Amir Abdollahian, the special advisor of Ali Larijani, speaker of the Iranian regime’s parliament, said: “We consider the security of Iraq as the security of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Insecurity in Iraq is completely against the interests of the [Iranian regime]. We do not profit in any way from destabilization and insecurity in Iraq can insecure 1,600 kilometers of joint borders with Iran.”

The PMOI/MEK spokesperson said: “[Iranian regime’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei] says his link with the Iraqi people grows stronger(!) However, what is taking place in Nasiriyah, Baghdad, and Najaf [in Iraq] to Lordegan, Arak, and Isfahan [in Iran] is the utter weakening of the mullahs’ regime. Khamenei is burning from his repulsive images being torched and trampled upon simultaneously in Iran and Iraq.”