Iraqi PM cancels decision to move police in fight against Daesh

Local officials announced on Friday that Prime Minister Haidar Al-Abadi has cancelled plans to move police forces from Diyala Province to Saladin in order to take part in the battle against Daesh, Anadolu has reported.

The decision came one day after hundreds of Diyala residents took to the streets to protest against the possible withdrawal of police officers from their province. They feared attacks by Daesh extremists in the resultant security vacuum.

“Contacts with Al-Abadi were made on Thursday and Friday,” explained Udai Al-Khadra, a judge in Diyala. “They ended with the prime minister deciding against moving the police.” Al-Abadi, he added, understood the importance of keeping the police in place to protect the border areas between Diyala and Saladin. “The street protests have also come to an end,” he pointed out.

Meanwhile, Police Captain Habib Al-Shammari confirmed to Anadolu that his forces had been told to cancel their plans for the move.

While the Iraqi army in Diyala is fighting against Daesh in Mosul, the police forces take on the responsibility to maintain security in the province.