Source: Christian Science Monitor
by staff
“In early November, one of the most revered spiritual leaders in the Middle East, the Shiite cleric Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, issued a rare guidance to his home country, Iraq. It came soon after reports that neighboring Iran might use militias under its control in Iraq to rain missiles and drones on Israel. His advice? That the Iraqi people, especially their ‘informed elites’, must exercise more ‘competence and integrity’ in governance and improve the rule of law in fighting corruption. His most specific message, however, was that any arms in Iraq – notably those of the Iran-backed Islamic Resistance in Iraq – must be held exclusively under the authority of the elected government in Baghdad. Iraqis still have ‘a long path’ ahead to achieve all of this, stated Mr. al-Sistani, who has long been a proponent of civic peace and secular democracy. ‘May God help them in this endeavor’.” (11/21/24)
https://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/the-monitors-view/2024/1121/A-shield-from-war-for-Iraq