Supreme Religious Authority condemns the attacks that took place in Najaf and stresses the need for the security forces to shoulder their responsibilities

The representative of the supreme religious authority read during the sermon of the Friday prayer of the 12th Jumada Ula 1441 AH corresponding to February 7, 2020, held at the holy shrine of Imam al-Hussayn (peace be upon him) the text received from the office of the supreme religious authority in Najaf, in which he stated:

“At a time when the religious authority condemns all the attacks and abuses that took place from any party, and extends its condolences to the families who lost loved ones due to this and prays for the speedy recovery for the wounded ones, it affirms what has already been indicated on another occasion that the official security forces are indispensable to keeping the country from falling into the abyss of chaos and disturbing public order, as they must bear responsibility for maintaining security and stability, protecting peaceful protesters and their gathering places, revealing the identities of aggressors and infiltrators, and protecting the interests of citizens from the attacks of saboteurs. There is no justification for them to stop fulfilling their duties in this regard, or for anyone to stop them from doing so or addressing what is at the heart of their duties. And they must act with complete professionalism and refrain from using violence in dealing with peaceful protests and prevent the transgression of those involved in them, and at the same time prevent the damage to public or private property of any excuse.”