The Popular Mobilization Forces will continue to uphold the principles outlined by the blood of the martyred leaders who had created a heroic epic, PMF chief Faleh Al-Fayyad said on Monday.

On the occasion of the 8th anniversary of the foundation of the Popular Mobilization Front and the launching of the righteous jihad fatwa, Al-Fayyad stressed that the faction has become an integral part of the nation: "Today is the anniversary of the launching of an Iraq capable of living with sovereignty and dignity."

Highlighting the importance of the PMF, Al-Fayyad stressed that the faction would uphold the interests of Iraq and would never back down when it comes to the rights of the Iraqi people.

"The PMF has been subjected to all sorts of demonization attempts, but it has proven to be resilient and derives its strength from the legacy of the martyrs," he said. "The Popular Mobilization Forces are biased toward the people, and it does not represent a tool of authoritarianism or control."

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He also noted how the PMF and all state apparatuses were working together shoulder to shoulder to defend the country.

The arms the PMF bear, he said, are those used to defend the righteous causes, "and weapons are a means of protecting the state and the freedom of the people and their dignities, and it cannot subjugate people."

The PMF is a righteous force, he said, rather than one of oppression, "and it seeks to build Iraq. It will only preserve the [national] security and stability and not become a political party."

"The PMF was able to link the Iraqi Sunnis and Shias by blood," Al-Fayyad added, countering the widespread narrative of sectarian division within Iraq.