Sarkhi’s crisis ends in Karbala, says official

Karbala (IraqiNews.com) Karbala Police Department confirmed ending the crisis of the clergyman Mahmoud al-Hassani Sarkhi in the province, accusing his gunmen followers of “attacking the secuity forces and attempting to form armed militia in Karbala.”

The Spokesperson of Karbala Police Department Colonel Ahmed al-Hisnawi mentioned in a statement received by IraqiNews.com “Some gunmen affiliated to Sarkhi’s followers in Karbala province attacked the security elements in the province.” He added “The gunmen attacked the security forces at 1:00 AM killing two security elements and injuring another which required an immediate response from the security forces to end this crisis.”

“The security forces replied on the gunmen and forced them to flee and seized a lot of illegal weapons which were meant to form illegal militia,” he added. He stressed “We confirm that the crisis is over now and security situation is stable in Karbala province.”

Mahmoud al-Hassani Sarkhi is opposed to Velayat-E Faqih, which is a doctrine of governance that is practiced in present day Iran. He is opposed to the Shiite religious authorities which associate their loyalty to Iran. The Shiite religious authorities denounce him as a “Saddam Hussein Baathist and member of Daash.”

Eye-witness video of the clashes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5xchfWbeDQ