Iraq mustn’t depend on West to in anti-ISIL fight: Grand Ayatollah Sistani

Iraq’s top religious authority, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, has recommended the Iraqi government not to rely on foreign powers in fighting the Takfiri ISIL terrorists, one of his close aides says.   According to the reports, Sheikh Abdul Mahdi al-Karbalai, who represents the senior religious scholar, made the remarks during a Friday prayers sermon in the holy city of Karbala. According to Sheikh Karbalai, Iraq is in need of help from brotherly and friendly countries in confronting the Takfiri terrorists. Earlier in June, a call by the top Shia cleric encouraged tens of thousands of volunteers from across Iraq to join the army in its battle against the ISIL. Grand Ayatollah Sistani has repeatedly called on all Iraqi people and political factions to unite and support the government and army in their battle against the terrorists. Iraqi men from all walks of life have flocked to recruitment centers to join the army in its fight against the ISIL terrorists.