Some attackers of US embassy in Iraq 'linked to security services'

Some attackers of US embassy in Iraq 'linked to security services'
by AFP Staff Writers
Baghdad (AFP) Dec 14, 2023

Iraq said Thursday it had arrested several attackers who fired rockets at the US embassy last week, amid high tensions over the Israel-Hamas war, and found some had links to security services.

A salvo of rockets was launched early Friday at the US embassy in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone, the latest in a flurry of such attacks since the Gaza war erupted on October 7.

The attack caused no reported casualties or damage, and there was no immediate claim of responsibility, but a US spokesperson said "indications are the attacks were initiated by Iran-aligned militias".

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's office announced several arrests over the attack and said that "unfortunately, preliminary information indicates that some of them are connected to certain security services".

The search continued for "all those involved in this attack," Sudani's office said in a statement, vowing that "the hand of justice will reach them".

"Such attacks cannot be condoned or tolerated due to the serious threat they pose to the country's security and stability," it said, adding that they cause "damage to Iraq's reputation and dignity".

The statement, issued by Special Forces Major General Yehia Rasool, did not name the suspects or what security services they were linked to.

But a security official in Baghdad, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the matter, reported 13 people had been arrested, including members of the security forces.

- Balancing act -

The United States on Thursday welcomed the arrests, with State Department spokesman Matthew Miller saying they were "pleased" with Sudani's "first steps".

"We made clear to Prime Minister Sudani that we wanted to see the Iraqi government take action to investigate the attacks on our embassy and to hold those responsible accountable," he said.

And the US ambassador in Iraq, Alina Romanowski, said on X, formerly Twitter, that Washington was committed to coordinating with Baghdad "to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice, US personnel... are safe, and Iraq's sovereignty and independence are protected".

The United States leads an international coalition battling jihadists in Iraq and neighbouring Syria. Its forces have come under repeated attack in recent weeks and have launched several strikes against Iran-linked fighters.

Pro-Iran groups have justified their attacks by pointing to US support for Israel.

In Iraq, most attacks were claimed by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a loose formation of armed groups affiliated with the Hashed al-Shaabi alliance, whose former paramilitaries are now integrated into Iraq's regular armed forces.

Sudani, brought to power by a pro-Tehran coalition, faces a difficult balancing act between the United States and Iran.

Sudani's office said he spoke Tuesday with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and stressed "Iraq's commitment to protecting diplomatic missions and coalition advisers".

The premier vowed to pursue the perpetrators "without any external interference".

The Israel-Hamas war broke out when Hamas gunmen attacked Israel, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking around 240 hostages, Israeli officials say.

In response, Israel vowed to destroy Hamas and launched a massive military offensive that has killed nearly 18,800 people in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry.

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