"The Popular Mobilization was launched in difficult times that represented a special pattern of the plight in Iraq," said Faleh Al-Fayyad, the Popular Mobilization Forces Chief, noting that "awareness is the weapon with which the PMU confronts its enemies and the enemies of Iraq."

In a speech on Sunday given at the official festival marking the fifth anniversary of Victory Day, which commemorates Iraq's victory over ISIS, Al-Fayyad said that "the Iraqi victory over terrorism represents pride for future generations," adding, "Victory over terrorism was made. The makers of victory are the martyrs," stressing that "we are all Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis, and we are all Qassem Soleimani in defending this country."

Read: General Soleimani, the revolutionary, the martyr, the legend

رئيس هيئة #الحشد_الشعبي فالح الفياض في الذكرى السنوية الـ5 ليوم النصر على الإرهاب في #العراق: "كلنا #أبو_مهدي_المهندس وكلنا #قاسم_سليماني في الدفاع عن هذا البلد". pic.twitter.com/RnkGNAHzax

— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) December 11, 2022

He stressed the rejection of any foreign domination, stressing that "Iraq is free, and the actions of the martyrs took away all kinds of division among Iraqis," pointing out that the PMF "was able to be a national model."

"All the Iraqi people contributed to the victory," he said, noting that what he called "the great achievement" needs to be nurtured, "because there are those who conspire against victory through several patterns, by breaking the social, political and social stability". 

As for the PMF, Al-Fayyad said it is "a security institution that has political awareness and consecrates its presence by offering martyrs", stressing that "the PMF and all Iraqi security forces are capable of maintaining security".

He called for "giving way to the new government to achieve its projects in reform and social development," explaining that "the political system resulting from the constitution is the choice of this nation, and this must be defended."

Fayyad had previously pledged to protect and preserve the political process through constitutional institutions.