Shafaq News/ Rayan al-Kildani, aleader with strong ties to Iran, has been accused of taking control of Iraq'sNineveh Plains, a historically Christian region, following the defeat of theIslamic State, according to a report from the US international broadcasterVoice of America (VOA).
The report revealed that the BabylonBrigades, a Christian force with Shiite Muslim members, has displaced Christianmayors and officials, replacing them with individuals aligned with Iran’svision for Iraq.
Nadine Maenza, president of theWashington-based International Religious Freedom Secretariat, highlightedal-Kildani’s actions during a recent visit to the area. “He took over the NinevehCouncil, got his own people elected, and then started buying them off. Heremoved 15 mayors and directors and replaced them with his own people,” Maenzatold VOA. “He essentially took over the Nineveh Plains. There are no moreChristian political leaders outside of Kurdistan Regional Government control.”
Maenza met with some of thedisplaced mayors, who are now seeking justice. Her organization advocates forreligious freedom across 40 countries, including Iraq. “Local Christians hopethat an Iraqi Federal Court will address al-Kildani’s actions,” Maenza added.
In a recent article for the WilsonCenter’s MENA 360 Degree publication, Maenza warned that if al-Kildani’scampaign continues, it could "remove the last independent Christian mayorsoutside of the Kurdistan region" and have a severe impact on historicChristian cities such as Bartella, Qaraqosh, Tel Kef, and the Yazidi homelandof Sinjar.
Based on the VOA report, Al-Kildani’sactions follow a contentious period in which he succeeded in having the titleof patriarch removed from Patriarch Cardinal Louis Sako, head of Iraq’s largestChristian denomination, the Chaldean Catholics. Sako accused al-Kildani ofattempting to take over Christian properties and endowments, a claim whichal-Kildani denies while accusing Sako of similar actions. Iraqi Prime MinisterMohammed Shia al-Sudani reinstated Sako’s title in June.
Chaldean Catholic Archbishop BasharWarda of Irbil has expressed a favorable view of al-Kildani, noting hisassistance with various projects and security matters. However, al-Kildani hasbeen sanctioned by the US Treasury Department since 2019 for alleged humanrights abuses, including intimidation, extortion, and illegal propertyseizures.
Michael Knights of the WashingtonInstitute for Near East Policy remarked that al-Kildani’s political maneuveringhas bolstered his standing with pro-Iran political factions in Iraq. “Rayanal-Kildani’s support for pro-Iran political forces has led to his gaininginfluence in the Nineveh Plains,” Knights said. “Many are upset about his rise,as he has minimal credentials to claim leadership of the Christian community orcontrol their property.”
Maenza has called for thereinstatement of election rules in Iraq to ensure that Christian, Yazidi, andother minority communities can elect their own representatives. Since 2009,Iraq’s voting system has allowed all Iraqis to vote for minority seats, whichhas led to vote-buying and diminished minority control.
In the last election, al-Kildani’sparty won four of the five parliamentary seats reserved for Christians, withbacking from Shiite political forces. Knights urged the US, the EU, and theglobal Christian community to intensify sanctions against al-Kildani, targetinghis foreign assets and travel capabilities to counter his and Iran’s expandinginfluence.
Disclaimer: The views presented bythe author do not necessarily reflect the official standpoint of Shafaq NewsAgency.