Maliki: Terrorism 'Directly Related' to Syria

There are many factors that have contributed to this increase in terrorist acts, the most important of which is the sectarian tension in the region that is directly related to the developments in the Syrian crisis and its repercussions on the Iraqi arena. We are very worried about the Syrian arena transforming into a field that attracts extremists, terrorists and sectarians from various parts of the world, gathering them in our neighborhood.

We urge the world to take note of this fact, which no one can deny. No one should view the Syrian crisis as only related to whether the current regime falls. This is only a small part of a deeper problem, which is the increasing growth of extremist groups that are getting support and reinforcement under this cover. We caution against the narrow, revenge-based view that controls some of the region's countries when it comes to dealing with the Syrian crisis.

We warned about what is happening today before it happened, more than 2 1/2 years ago. Today, we warn that things could get worse if the reins are left in the hands of those parties controlled by a mentality of revenge and settling scores, instead of thoroughly considering outcomes and the fate of the region.

Al-Monitor:  There is an unprecedented return of militias in southern Iraq and the capital, including killings and sectarian displacement, particularly in Basra and Nasiriyah. This has been covered by media outlets and official bodies. How do you respond to those who say that Baghdad is lenient when it comes to militant activity, and that this leniency became clear given the lack of efforts to prevent the flow of militants to fight alongside the Assad regime? And that this leniency, in turn, led to these militias regaining their power?

Maliki:  Yes, there have been some terrorist acts committed by militias, and we have taken the necessary measures and orders were issued to our security services regarding the need to address these acts firmly and with strength. A few days ago, I met with some of the residents who were targeted by these criminal acts.

I assured them that the government, the security services and the police are on their side and will defend them, and that these militias have no future. There is a clear correlation between these groups and terrorist groups, and they strengthen each other. But the broad popular opposition [to these groups] and the consensus among Iraqis to renounce them — whether militias or terrorists — makes them isolated outcasts without protection.