Clashes occurred between Iraqi police and Popular Mobilisation Forces in Baghdad after PMF fighters stormed the Agriculture Ministry building. The violence led to the death of one police officer and injuries to nine others. The forces aimed to block the appointment of a new director, prompting a police response. The Interior Ministry condemned the actions as attempts to impose force on state institutions. The Joint Operations Command announced the detention of PMF members associated with Kataib Hezbollah and indicated judicial proceedings would follow.
At least one police officer was killed and 14 fighters detained after a gun battle erupted in Iraq's capital with members of the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), a state-sanctioned paramilitary umbrella that includes groups loyal to Iran.
Police responding to the scene came under fire, also resulting in injuries among security personnel. The ministry said it would not tolerate any party attempting to impose its will by force and threaten state institutions.
The PMF, known locally as Hashd al-Shaabi, is composed mainly of Shia paramilitaries formed to fight ISIL (ISIS), but has since been formally integrated into Iraq’s armed forces.
A statement from Iraq's Joint Operations Command... said the detained gunmen were referred to the judiciary. Those involved belonged to PMF brigades 45 and 46, units widely linked to Kataib Hezbollah.
Collection
[
|
...
]