SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Iraqi Ministry of Interior on Saturday denied rumors that it had handed over a senior of Asaib Ahl al-Haq to the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), after it was arrested by the security forces over a rocket attack on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.
In a statement, the interior ministry said an official communique circulating on social media saying an Asaib Ahl al-Haq was handed over to Hashid al-Shaabi “is fake”.
“The interior ministry categorically denies what was circulated on social media regarding the handover of one the accused,” the statement read.
Iraqi counter-terrorism forces detained a senior member of Asaib Ahl al-Haq on Friday night over a rocket attack on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad last week.
The Iran-backed militia group deployed its fighters to the streets in Baghdad following the arrest of its member, threatening to attack the intelligence agency if its member wasn’t freed.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi said in a tweet late on Friday that the federal government was prepared for “a decisive confrontation if necessary”.
“We called for calm to prevent our country from being thrown into another absurd adventure, but we are ready for a decisive confrontation if necessary.”
In response to threats from the group, Kadhimi deployed counter-terrorism forces in large numbers to the Iraqi capital.
Kadhimi also visited the security forces deployed to the streets in Baghdad.
Meanwhile, Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service said in a statement that its forces “are ready to protect Iraq and Iraqis, and we are waiting for the prime minister’s order for any move or possibility”.
