The American-friendly and American-trained Lt. General has been removed from his duty and some see this as a negative, lots of stories on this. I think we should think of our men and women in uniform, sacrificing all every day, if one thinks this is too many posts, quite a bit happening. And yes, this commander helped eliminate the ISIS threat in Iraq, the threat persists but is much less severe, the Caliphate busted.
MECRA
"We are all al-Saadi": The controversy around Iraq's PM and the removal of CTS commander
A hashtag spreading on social media in support of CTS commander Lt. Gen. Abdul Wahab al-Saadi (عبد الوهاب الساعدي) is calling into question decisions to seemingly sideline the well known commander two years after major combat operations against ISIS ended in Iraq. This comes amid several important trends in the country, including the rise of the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) and concerns that their incorporation into t he security forces could make them a pillar of power in the country. In addition Iraq is still fighting ISIS presence and there are continued discussions between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government about budgets. The US presence in Iraq, at the invitation of the government, has also been called into question amid rising Iran tensions. A mortar fell near the US embassy on September 23.
Iraq's President was in the US in late September to attend the UNGA and meet with US President Donald Trump. "Now, the task of rebuilding Iraq, reconstructing Iraq, affirming the sovereignty of Iraq, and being a partner in the neighborhood for a more stable Middle East is a hope and an aspiration that we look for the help of the United States and the help of the international community," President Barham Salih said on September 24. He met with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on September 23. Iraq's Prime Minister is also supposed to have travelled to Saudi Arabia and will head to Iran amid the tensions over al-Saadi. He is also talking up a partnership with China. It should be noted that the border crossing between Iraq and Syria at Al-Qaim is supposed to be opened on September 30.
The removal of al-Saadi, which was announced over the weekend of September 27-28 has led to many questions in Iraq. Al-Saadi has also been vocal in his surprise and opposition to the orders. He has spoken to local media. He calls the transfer a "humiliation." A hashtag "we are all Al-Saadi" emerged soon after (#كلنا_عبد_الوهاب_الساعد).
Read more at: https://www.mideastcenter.org/post/we-are-all-al-saadi-the-controversy-around-iraq-s-pm-and-the-removal-of-cts-commander
