Alwaght- The anti-terror assault on Fallujah made headlines in the Arab as well as global media with the arrival of the zero hour and after the Iraqi forces launched their anti-ISIS operation to recapture the ISIS-held city in Al Anbar province.


The operation is said to have met pre-set goals in the first phase. But as advances by the Iraqi units rolled on, they faced an unprecedented antipathy campaign from both internal and external parties.


The latest of them were the remarks of the Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir who asked Iran- a major anti-terror party in Iraq- to take its hands off Iraq, after his earlier remarks that the Fallujah battle would be clean and better off without participation of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) - a popular voluntary anti-terror force.


The Alwaght has conducted an interview with the head of Al Anbar Salvation Council Sheikh Hamid al-Hayes to bring in spotlight the stances and the very latest on the battle of Fallujah that is under way.


Alwaght: We are witnessing attacks by media on the PMF, accusing it of indiscriminate shelling and execution of the civilians or down playing its victories and highlighting the damages it receives in the battlefield. What is your take on this propaganda campaign?


Al-Hays: First of all, their words on the PMF are baseless. The PMF is a military organization active under the command of the chief of staff of the Iraqi army. We have been in touch with the PMF and launched a variety of joint military operations. It rescues people and offers to them all kinds of aids. We are certainly against such media attacks and we stand in front of it because we are part of this popular organization. We don�t allow any sides, Arab or foreigner, to attack the PMF.


Alwaght: Why do the Arab countries, specifically the Persian Gulf Arab states, largely insist that the Iranian military advisors, on top of the General Qasem Soleimani, the commander of IRGC�s Quds Force, should not take part in Fallujah recapture operation, despite the fact that the Iraqi side has repeatedly emphasized that the Iranian presence has been productive for Baghdad?


Al-Hays: First, they have to thank God, because their countries could have been disappeared if the PMF wasn't there. General Qasem Soleimani came to Iraq at the behest of the Iraqi government. If they oppose General Soleimani�s presence in Iraq, let�s see them offer help to Baghdad and we would be appreciative of their support. But it is just media propaganda, no more or less.


Alwaght: How do you see the popularity of the PMF inside the Iraqi society? How does the public opinion of Iraq in general, and the elites in particular, look at this voluntary anti-terror force?


Al-Hays: If there was no PMF, many of Iraqi cities have fallen to the ISIS terrorist group. The PMF enjoys large-scale popularity among the Iraqis. But at the same time, we call for expansion of the PMF�s leadership to make it inclusive across the country, in a bid to drop all of the excuses.


Alwaght: What is the significance of liberating Fallujah from the grasp of ISIS terror organization regarding the capital Baghdad or for the ISIS-held Mosul?


Al-Hays: Fallujah is the hotbed of terrorism and the safe haven of the leaders of the ISIS terrorist organization. It is from there that come the explosives and the suiciders to the capital Baghdad. Therefore, liberation of Fallujah brings about security to Baghdad and makes it more stable. We hope that the armed forces soon conclude the mission. Actually the job is concluded, and the Fallujah battle would not last longer than what a majority of people think.


By Alwaght