Al-Ghadeer TV (Badr Organization — official) published two statements from Muhannad al-Aqabi, director of the media directorate of the Popular Mobilization Commission, on the evening of 19 August: the force advances daily in numbers, training, organisation, armament and equipment, its law is hoped to pass in the coming days, parties are trying to inflame the weapons-restriction issue, and talk of confrontations after 30 September is surprising because Iraqis will not reach the stage of clashing among themselves. The second post framed 30 September as a sovereign day marking the end of the foreign presence, alleged a media, cultural or political "third machine" trying to spoil the occasion, and credited Iraqi security agencies with current stability. Al-Kornet al-Kata'ibi (KSS — affiliated) carried the first statement in identical wording six minutes earlier than the Al-Ghadeer post.
- Al-Kornet al-Kata'ibiKSS — affiliated19 Aug, 23:25
“The Popular Mobilization Forces advance daily and become stronger in numbers, training, organisation, armament and equipment… we find talk of confrontations or clashes after 30 September surprising.”
الحشد الشعبي يتقدم يومياً ويصبح أكثر قوة من ناحية العدد والتدريب والتنظيم والتسليح والتجهيز … نستغرب الحديث عن وقوع مواجهات أو صدامات بعد 30 أيلول
- Al-Ghadeer TVBadr Organization — official19 Aug, 23:31
“30 September is a sovereign day for Iraq since the foreign presence in Iraq is scheduled to end on it… there are those trying to muddle the file of restricting weapons to the state.”
30 أيلول هو يوم سيادي للعراق كون المقرر فيه إنهاء الوجود الأجنبي في العراق … هناك من يحاول خلط الأوراق بشأن ملف حصر السلاح بيد الدولة
- Al-Ghadeer TVBadr Organization — official19 Aug, 23:31
“We hope the Popular Mobilization Forces law is passed in the coming days… the resistance factions are keen on the political system.”
نأمل إقرار قانون الحشد الشعبي في الأيام المقبلة … فصائل المقاومة حريصة على النظام السياسي
The Commission is publicly asking parliament for its law while stating the force is expanding in armament and training, which sets the terms on which the state is being asked to legalise a growing armed institution.