In a shocking revelation, Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, the Patriarch of the Chaldean Church, has cast doubt on the official account of the devastating fire that claimed the lives of 107 people and injured 82 others at a wedding hall in the Hamdaniyah district of Nineveh province last week. The Cardinal asserts that the incident may not have been a tragic accident caused by fireworks, as initially reported, but a deliberate act with a specific agenda.

The Cardinal's claims are aimed at the Babylonian militias under the leadership of Rayan Chaldean, who have seized control of Christian Arab areas in Nineveh, according to reports from Al-Arabiya al-Jadeed. He has emphatically stated that those responsible for the fire have betrayed their own people and country for personal gain, exhibiting a profound lack of remorse for their actions.

In a candid address, Cardinal Sako lamented the widespread corruption in Iraq, highlighting the moral decline of certain militia groups who have lost their way. He underscored the weariness of the Iraqi populace in the face of empty promises and unfulfilled slogans.

Calling for a thorough and impartial investigation, Cardinal Sako urged that the matter be handled by the relevant authorities. He emphasized the urgent need to uncover the truth behind this tragic incident and bring those responsible to justice.

The Interior Minister's official statement revealed that in addition to the staggering loss of life, 30 individuals sustained injuries, and the hall's owner has been found negligent in their duty. Following the incident, the owner fled the scene but was later apprehended by security forces in Erbil.

As the nation grapples with this devastating loss, Cardinal Sako's plea for a comprehensive inquiry resonates with many who seek answers and justice for the victims and their grieving families. The investigation will likely shed light on the true cause of the fire, offering hope for closure and accountability in this heart-wrenching tragedy.