PMF chief Faleh al-Fayyad delivers a speech commemorating the assassination of the IRGC's Quds Force commander, Maj Gen Qasem Soleimani, and PMF vice president Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis, on 3 January 2021 in Baghdad, Iraq (AA Photo)

The millions that took to the streets to mourn Quds Force commander martyr Major General Qassem Soleimani prove the high regard he had within people's hearts, Popular Mobilization Forces chief Faleh Al-Fayyad said on Monday.

During the commemoration of the third anniversary of the assassination of resistance leaders, martyrs Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis, as well as their companions, Al-Fayyad underlined that "the enemies were disappointed when they thought that, through assassinations, the will of nations would be broken."

"The assassination of Soleimani and Al-Muhandis was orchestrated by former US President Donald Trump," the PMF chief underlines.

"The PMF, through its firm foundation, deep roots, and steadfastness, is responding to the assassination of Soleimani and Al-Muhandis, and it is currently in the post-liberation phase after the conspiracy that was aimed at the Ummah," Al-Fayyad said. "The PMF safeguarded the country from all evils and offered sacrifices to safeguard the constitution."

Additionally, the official stressed that it was necessary for the PMF to "draw a roadmap for itself, as we are a military force, and we protect state institutions without monopolizing this power [...] the PMF will be away from politics, but we shall work with our brothers on political awareness to safeguard the constitution."

"The PMF defended all the components of Iraqi components, contrary to the false news being spread about it being sectarian," Al-Fayyad said. "We must have a certain level of awareness that will help us resist the enemies."

A large crowd of people came from various Iraqi regions to commemorate the third anniversary of the assassination of resistance leaders
A large crowd of people came from various Iraqi regions to commemorate the third anniversary of the assassination of resistance leaders

Murders should be tried

The commander of the 43rd Brigade of the Popular Mobilization Forces, Abu Sadiq Al-Agaili, called for the relevant authorities to put together a comprehensive legal case to take to all "international forums in order to prosecute the perpetrators of the assassination of [Soleimani and Al-Muhandis]."

"The PMF includes people from the various Iraqi walks of life, and it is very cautious about building Iraq," Al-Agaili stressed. "[The PMF] will continue working with the relevant state apparatus on hunting down ISIS remnants."

Commemorating the third anniversary of Martyr Lt. General Qassem Soleimani the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri reminded "the criminals" that had cowardly assassinated him that "his murder will be avenged."

“Avenging General Soleimani’s assassination [...] will never be removed from the agenda of the youths of the Muslim world and his devotees across the world,” Major General Baqeri said, adding that those who authorized his assassination will live their "disgraceful lives in fear of the day of revenge."

Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister said Sunday that the US and the West have been obstructing the judicial case pertaining to Soleimani's martyrdom.

"Unfortunately, both the Americans and some other western countries are creating obstacles in the way of judiciary procedure, but the Islamic Republic of Iran, too, is not hand-tied," Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian stressed.

Amir-Abdollahian noted that Iran pursued the legal judicial process in which it made clear, through a letter, that the US government is responsible for the assassination of Soleimani.

Soleimani brought new life to Resistance front

During a meeting with the family of martyr Soleimani and the officials of the General Soleimani Commemoration Ceremonies, Iranian leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei considered that breathing a new spirit into the Resistance front was an outstanding and essential part of Soleimani’s endeavors.

The Iranian leader explained that "by strengthening the physical, spiritual and mental aspects of the Resistance, the General preserved, equipped and revived this everlasting and growing phenomenon against the Zionist regime and the influence of the US and other arrogant countries."

Khamenei pointed out that the testimony of Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah about General Soleimani’s struggles is a great means for understanding the importance of the martyr's work in reviving the Resistance.

Khamenei also pointed to the progress that Palestinians have made in confronting the Israeli occupation, as well as the achievements of the Resistance in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen.

"General Soleimani used the experience that he had attained during the period of the Holy Defense as well as the advice of his comrades to strengthen the Resistance by relying on the internal capacities of these same countries," he highlighted.

The Iranian leader praised Soleimani’s accomplishments and referred to the manner in which the martyr uprooted the terrorist acts of ISIS, pointing out that General Soleimani had done very well in that test.