On the afternoon of 5 August, Watan TV (Badr Organization — affiliated) and then Al-Ahad TV (AAH — official) posted, two minutes apart, a Popular Mobilization Forces denial that an armed clash had taken place between its forces and any other force in Samarra. Neither post identifies the other force, gives a time or place for the alleged clash, or describes what prompted the denial. No supplied evidence — militia or outside — reports the underlying incident, so the only established fact is that the denial was issued and relayed on two networks.
- Watan TVBadr Organization — affiliated05 Aug, 17:45
“The Hashd denies that an armed clash occurred between its forces and any other force in the city of holy Samarra.”
الحـشـد ينفي وقوع اشتباك مسلح بين قواته وأي قوة أخرى في مدينة سامراء المقدسة
- Al-Ahad TVAAH — official05 Aug, 17:47
“The Popular Mobilization Forces Commission denies that an armed clash occurred between its forces and any other force in holy Samarra.”
هيئة الحشد الشعبي تنفي وقوع اشتباك مسلح بين قواتها وأي قوة أخرى في سامراء المقدسة
a named account of the Samarra incident from any Iraqi security source or outside coverage; a divergent version from a KH, KSS or Nujaba channel; identification of the second force; or a further denial or acknowledgement naming a specific unit — any of these moves this file.