Athra Kado, Media Center of NPU, tells about the clashes between NPU and members of Babylon Brigade with support of Hashd al-Sha’bi today. Shorty after the interview was published, the NPU released the following clarification :

”On July 15, 2017 clashes broke out between the Nineveh Plain Protection Units and Babylon Brigade including allied PMU group. Two days prior, our forces had captured six members of Babylon Brigade. The arrests were conducted for the robbing of ancient artifacts from Mar Behnam Monestary and civilian homes. Thereafter, the detainees were transfered to Hamdaniya Police.

Moments prior to the attack, NPU’s Leadership was accompanying municipal government officials in surveying Hamdaniya District.

Unknowing to the NPU, Babylon Brigade called upon their on allies from a fellow PMU group of Tal Abta for intervention. Under the pretense of establishing peace, the two group’s were given permission to cross NPU’s Baghdeda checkpoints. Clashes eventually broke out between the NPU and Babylon Brigade with allies in the town of Baghdeda. After clashes subsided, PMU Command & Iraqi Government concluded the perpetrators will face severe consequences.

Currently, the situation has stabilized as peace has been established in Baghdeda and surrounding areas. We assure our Assyrian Chaldean Syriac people that the NPU’s highest priority is the protection of our people. We will not allow sectarian nor partisan agenda’s divert our responsibility in maintaining peace in the Nineveh Plain.”