ERBIL — Pro-Iran Shia parties in Iraq have rejected the preliminary results of the Iraqi parliamentary elections, threatening to take actions, reports said on Tuesday.
The results were denounced as "fabricated" by the Fatah alliance, which is composed of supporters of the Iran-backed al-Hashd al-Shaabi, in particular denounced the results as "fabricated" while one armed militia faction appeared to threaten violent action in response, Iraqi reports said.
Hadi al-Ameri, the leader of Fatah Alliance, called in a statement for a joint response against the election results from other Shia political factions.
"We do not accept these fabricated results, whatever the cost, and we will defend the votes of our candidates and voters with full force," he said, according to his office.
Fatah was the second-largest party before it declined sharply from 48 to 14 seats.
Powerful Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's Sairoon has won 73 seats of the parliament's 329 seats, according to initial results released by the Iraqi High Electoral Commission (IHEC).
Moreover, a spokesperson for Kataib Hezbollah, an armed Iran-backed group labelled a "terrorist organisation" by the US, called on their supporters to oppose the results and warned they would "stand firmly and insist to restore things to their rightful place," as Kataib Hezbollah'z Huquq party has won only one seat.
"Be sure that no right will be lost behind it, so do not get tired, do not get bored, and do not compromise, and victory will be your ally with the help of Almighty God."