Iraqi VP Nouri Al-Maliki: Some People Contemplated a Military Coup in Iraq; Such a Coup Will Not Be Successful

In a July 18 interview with the Iraqi Kurdistani TV channel NRT, Nouri Al-Maliki, the Vice President of Iraq, said that although in his assessment, some people were contemplating a Turkey-style military coup in Iraq, "they did not realize that in the new Iraq, a military coup would be difficult to carry out, because of the popular support for the government, and because the citizens are armed."

Al-Maliki: "Turkey's foreign policy has generated a political crisis at home. Turkey was dragged into war and began to meddle, and it lost many of its advantages and much of its popularity, and its relations in the regions were harmed. Turkey is now accused of meddling in the affairs of several countries. Therefore, Turkey is one of the countries that may be classified as a regional troublemaker."

[...]

Interviewer: "Did you not fear a coup when the Sadrist Movement stormed the Green Zone? They entered the government building and the parliament. What does a coup look like?"

Al-Maliki: "What happened certainly looked like a rebellion, and I condemn and reject it."

[...]

Interviewer: "(Did you) fear a coup? Is a Turkey-styled military coup in Iraq a plausible scenario?"

Al-Maliki: "I do not want to name names, but in my assessment, some people were contemplating a coup. After all, Iraqi culture has witnessed coups at various points in its history. They considered it, but they did not realize that in the new Iraq, a military coup would be difficult to carry out, because of the popular support for the government, and because the citizens are armed.

[...]

"Anyone who attempts to carry out a coup will have to deal with the people. Especially now, when the people is armed - the Popular Mobilization Units have their weapons, and civilians have their weapons - a military coup in Iraq would not be successful anymore."

[...]

Interviewer: "Do you fear internal Shiite conflict, in light of the violent dialogue that took place between the Sadrist Movement and the Popular Mobilization Units, and even with the government?"

Al-Maliki: "This fear did exist, but it has dissipated this last week."

Interviewer: "Do you mean this past Friday?"

Al-Maliki: "Yes, on Friday the fear of internal Shiite conflict dissipated. After all, the plans of the Sadrist movement failed, and he could no longer make inroads into the political system, as he wanted. "

[...]

Interviewer: "There is a plan - which was presented in the media - to turn the PMU into an Iraqi version of the IRGC, with Nouri Al-Maliki at the helm."

Al-Maliki: "I've heard no such thing."

Interviewer: "You haven't... Were you presented with such a plan?"

Al-Maliki: "No."

Interviewer: "Regarding your relationship with the PMU - are you closer to the pro-Iranian elements than to Shiite groups aligned with Sistani, or to political parties such as the (Supreme Islamic) Council and the Sadrist Movement?"

Al-Maliki: "The brothers in the PMU know what role I have played. They know my positions on this matter, and how I supported and armed the PMU under very difficult circumstances. Therefore, I have good relations with all their various elements. I do not support one faction at the expense of the other, because a certain faction may be affiliated with some foreign country... I have very good relations with the Iraqi PMU. I have the utmost respect toward them. I support them and defend them. I have no problem, disagreement, or any crisis with any faction of the PMU."