ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) on Friday announced the arrest of Wathiq al-Battat, chief of the Mukhtar Army militia, over recent remarks the forces deemed “insulting”.

“PMF security arrested Wathiq al-Battat on charges of insulting security institutions and the Popular Mobilization Commission [PMC],” read a statement by the PMF, adding that the arrest was based on an “official arrest warrant issued by the specialized judiciary.”

In a recent televised interview with a local channel, Battat criticized the leadership of the PMC, asserting that it has become a “danger to Shiism” because it is “fighting the mujahideen.”

He also claimed that the security protecting leading Sunni figures in Iraq, including leader of the Sovereignty Alliance Khamis al-Khanjar, are made up of members affiliated with the PMF.

Battat, once a vocal supporter of Iran and a self-proclaimed follower of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has made several strong remarks toward the neighboring country during recent interviews, accusing Tehran of using the PMF to smuggle money, oil, and minerals from Iraq.

Before forming the Mukhtar Army in 2013, Battat was a senior official with Kataib Hezbollah.