Anti-Daesh war cost Iraq $100 billion in losses: PM

By Ali Jawad

BAGHDAD (AA) – Losses from the war on the Daesh terrorist group have cost Iraq $100 billion, Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi said Saturday.

"Iraq has lost $100 billion in the anti-Daesh war, but we have achieved success in three battles; namely liberating the land, maintaining Iraq’s unity and standing up to the threats," al-Abadi said during a speech in the southern Karbala province.

As for the crisis between Baghdad and northern Iraq's Kurdish Regional Government (KRG), al-Abadi said "we don’t need mediation with our Kurdish people".

"[Kurdish] Peshmerga fighters enjoy patriotism, and we regret accusing those who did not fight against the Iraqi army of betrayal," he said.

Tension escalated between the federal government in Baghdad and KRG following the Sept. 25 referendum on secession of the Kurdish region, which Baghdad insists is unconstitutional.

The Iraqi premier said the country’s parliamentary election would take place as scheduled in May.