A number of protesters who had previously been in the Ashraf camp in Diyala Governorate staged a demonstration to reject what they described as deception they were subjected to during the recent elections by one of the candidates who won before being excluded. This is in connection with what is known as the phantom brigade file and the camp established in the province, demanding that the head of the Popular Mobilization Forces, Faleh al-Fayyad, and the head of the Badr Organization, Hadi al-Amiri, act justly and officially appoint them.
Protester Hassan Salem told Video News Agency: "We demand Hadi al-Amiri to justly recognize the course held at Ashraf camp because it is not a phantom course. We call for our rights to be recognized and for us to be included in the Popular Mobilization Forces as we were previously promised, as our number is around 500 people."
He also appealed to the head of the Popular Mobilization Forces, Faleh al-Fayyad, since our camp is official and documented with formal correspondences. We entered a basic course for ten days, and to this day we have not found any solution to our problem."
For his part, protester Munthir Amouri Fadel told Video News Agency: "Our demonstration is peaceful, and we appeal to the Popular Mobilization Authority because we entered the camp in a formal and legal manner and are affiliated with the authority and the camp. Therefore, we want them to justly respond to our request for appointment under the title of non-commissioned officers and in our official capacity."
Meanwhile, protester Karrar Qais confirmed to Video News Agency: "We entered Ashraf camp as members of the Popular Mobilization Forces, so we call for justice after completing our official training course. We do not believe that our entry was without anyone's knowledge." He added, however, that "to be neglected after completing the course and to not be treated justly or appointed is unacceptable."