Iraq’s Sadr threatens British troops participating in Mosul operation

The leader of Iraq’s Sadrist Movement Muqtada al-Sadr threatened on Sunday British troops that will participate in a military operation to retake the city of Mosul, a statement issued by his office said.

“They will not be liberators but we will treat them as occupiers,” Sadr said in response to a question on his position on the British government’s intention to send troops to participate in retaking Mosul.

British Defence Minister Michael Fallon announced on Wednesday that Britain will double its deployment of troops to train Iraqi and Kurdish forces fighting Daesh.

Earlier on Friday Al-Sadr also threatened US forces scheduled to arrive in Iraq to fight Daesh.

On 11 July 2016, US Secretary of Defence Ashton Carter stated that US President Barack Obama had decided to send an additional 560 soldiers to Iraq to help in the reconstruction of al-Qayyarah military base and the liberation operation of Mosul.

Sadr’s militia Saraya Al- Salaam participate in a military campaign to retake cities occupied by the extremist group, but their main task is to protect Shia religious sites.