The UN chief should have avoided meeting terrorist Qais Al-Khazaali

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visited Baghdad in the spring of 2017 to express international support for the troubled nation.

He told reporters immediately upon landing in Iraq that the international community should not ignore Iraq's complex challenges. "I am here on a solidarity visit to underscore the commitment of the United Nations to support Iraq in consolidating its democratic institutions and advancing peace, sustainable development, and human rights for all Iraqis," he said.

Following his meetings with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani and other senior officials, he praised the head of the government for implementing political and economic reforms that include combating corruption, which has been destroying the country for decades.

Promises of reform were made by several successive governments throughout the years, yet none were met due to a lack of dedication as well as the militia-driven political parties that held sway over every aspect of the state. These powerful political and militia leaders would not think twice before slaying any individual working against their own self-interests or the interests of Iran, for which they had conspired and unerringly followed the 'Vilayat-e Faqih', or guardianship of a competent Islamic jurist.

As a demonstration of solidarity with the people and the democratic institutions of Iraq, Guterres' visit gave the Iraqi public a glimpse of - what turned out to be - fake hope and optimism.

"I am here in Baghdad with hope: hope that Iraq can break cycles of instability and fragility; hope that it can set a sustainable course toward prosperity, freedom, and peace."

Here's why prosperity, freedom, and peace are very questionable.

Isn't a picture worth a thousand words?

An image of the UN secretary-general shattered Iraqis' hopes and dreams and even their faith in the organization, which is supposed to protect them from Iranian militia brutality.

Only one picture of the UN secretary-general should bring an end to his career.

The chief of Asa’ib Ahl Al-Haq, Qais Al-Khazaali, whom the US classifies as a terrorist, appeared with a big smile on Guterres' face. Adding insult to injury, they were joined by Rayan Al-Kaldani, the leader of the “Babylon” movement, who was subject to US sanctions for violating human rights.

It sent a clear and shameful message to the entire region, causing outrage and dissatisfaction inside and outside Iraq.

This photo is significant, according to former US Special Envoy Joel Rayburn on Twitter: “The UN secretary-general is all smiles meeting in Baghdad with the grinning terrorist Qais Khazaali, who killed hundreds of US troops, murdered thousands of Iraqis, and regularly bombarded US personnel in Iraq and Syria.”

A global condemnation of Al-Khazaali, who killed Americans as well as Iraqis without mercy, should be made.

The UN official welcomed Al-Kaldani, whom Iraqi Chaldeans disowned for confiscating houses from displaced Christians in Mosul and its surrounding villages following the Daesh invasion, instead of calling for their arrest and prosecution.

In light of this outrageous scandal, UN members should question the secretary-general.

In protest at UN offices, Iraqi nationals and their supporters should demand Guterres' removal.

In December 2019, the US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control, or OFAC, cited Qais Al-Khazaali and his brother Laith for killing and injuring peaceful civilian protesters. As a result of severe human rights abuses committed by OFAC, Al-Kaldani was added to the list seven months later.

In May 2018, a video circulated among Iraqi human rights civil society organizations in which Al-Kaldani cut off the ear of a handcuffed detainee."

Regardless of Guterres' intentions, it's time for him to go. Iran and its partners in Iraq don't need the UN to spill the blood of millions of innocent victims.