Iraqi Journalists Come to Blows on Al-Jazeera TV While Discussing Iranian Military Involvement in Iraq

Things got ugly in a June 9 Al-Jazeera TV debate on the Iraqi army, when the question of Iranian involvement in the Iraqi army was discussed. When pro-Iranian journalist Alaa Al-Khatib accused Iraqi News Agency Director Sarmad Abdul Karim of being a traitor, the two began to hurl insults and bottles of water at one another.

Following are excerpts:

Sarmad Abdul Karim: What does Qassem Soleimani have to do [with the Iraqi army]? Where is the Iraqi state?! Where is the Iraqi prime minister?

Interviewer: Stick to the army.

Sarmad Abdul Karim: This is about the army. Today, Qassem Soleimani is the [Iraqi] army's chief of staff. He is the minister of defense and the commander of the armed forces. Soleimani and Hadi Al-Ameri coordinate the operations and give the orders...

Alaa Al-Khatib: Why does this bother you?! A man comes to defend you, your holy places, and your land. Qassem Soleimani is welcomed by all Iraqis.

Sarmad Abdul Karim: Qassem Al-Soleimani is a criminal, and so is Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis.

Alaa Al-Khatib: According to you.

[...]

Sarmad Abdul Karim: Iran has come to occupy Iraq...

Interviewer: And it has formed a private army...

Sarmad Abdul Karim: That's right. With its private army, it wants to move on to Syria, and from there to Saudi Arabia. Plain and simple. It is very clear that you are brainwashed.

Alaa Al-Khatib: Me? Brainwashed?! You have vested interests. Listen to me. Listen, listen...

Sarmad Abdul Karim: You are a failure of a human being... You people are traitors.

Alaa Al-Khatib: ISIS are terrorists, and you are the traitor. You were an officer in [Saddam's] Iraqi army... Everyone knows all about your record. In 1983, you stole salaries from the Iraqi army. The Saudi government got you out, to Denmark.

Interviewer: I'd like to ask a question...

Sarmad Abdul Karim: Dog!

Alaa Al-Khatib: You are the dog!