Iraqi security forces arrest over a dozen men suspected of rocket attacks against the U.S. presence in Iraq, the Iraqi military said. It was the strongest action to date by the new government in Baghdad against perpetrators suspected of ties to Iran.
Motorists pass by a Popular Mobilization poster in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, June 26, 2020. Iraqi security forces arrested over a dozen men suspected of a spate of rocket attacks against the U.S.
A series of rockets have struck close to U.S. installations inside the Green Zone and an Iraqi army base near to the airport in the Iraqi capital since Baghdad embarked on strategic talks with Washington on June 11.The U.S. has blamed Iran-backed militia group Kataib Hezbollah for orchestrating attacks against its embassy and American troops inside Iraqi bases, and criticized the Iraqi government for not identifying and arresting the culprits.
It was unclear who was holding the men, with one Iraqi official saying it was the Popular Mobilization Forces, an umbrella group of paramilitary groups, while another said they were being held by the Interior Ministry. Reactions from some political leaders and Iran-backed militia groups highlighted tensions that might arise between state security forces and militia groups in the aftermath of the raid.Former prime minister and head of the State of Law party, Nouri al-Maliki said the Popular Mobilization Forces should be respected and spared any detrimental actions.
Following the arrests, armed groups in government vehicles entered the heavily fortified Green Zone “without official approval” and surrounded the headquarters of the counter-terrorism agency, the military statement said. The Green Zone houses government buildings and foreign embassies.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Iraqi forces raid Iran-backed militia base in BaghdadIraqi security forces arrest more than a dozen pro-Iran militia in their first raid against those accused of anti-US rocket attacks - government sources
Read more »
The top 25 US universities respond to protests across the US - Business InsiderBusiness Insider is a fast-growing business site with deep financial, media, tech, and other industry verticals. Launched in 2007, the site is now the largest business news site on the web.
Read more »
EU Could Bar U.S. Travelers Due To Ongoing Rise In COVID-19 CasesChief among the criteria for easing restrictions on foreign travelers: The epidemiological situation in their home countries 'should be as good as or better than in the EU,' a spokesperson tells NPR.
Read more »
New Coronavirus Cases In U.S. Hit Highest Level Since AprilJune’s coronavirus spike in the U.S. is continuing to worsen, with worrying new single-day records in new cases in the nation’s 3 most populated states: Florida, California, and Texas
Read more »
CVS to offer companies COVID-19 testing program as U.S. cases riseAs U.S. employers grapple with trying to keep workers healthy and on the job amid fresh spikes in COVID-19 cases, CVS Health Corp has begun selling companies a diagnostic testing program.
Read more »