SULAIMANI (ESTA) — The Iraqi government has extended the state of emergency in Baghdad for 23 more days, Iraqi media reported.
Al-Araby Jadid cited an Iraqi military official as saying that authorities had decided to extend the state of emergency in the Iraqi capital until January 20, 2021.
The official further said the deployment of the security forces in Baghdad would continue to “monitor and follow up any activities outside the law”, Al-Araby Jadid reported.
The federal government announced a state of emergency on Friday night after Iran-backed militias threatened to raid the Iraqi intelligence service in Baghdad to free one of their leaders detained over a rocket attack on the U.S. embassy.
Members of Iraqi counter-terrorism forces were also deployed to several places in Baghdad following the threats.
Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi who took to the streets in Baghdad on Friday night said the government is prepared for “a decisive confrontation if necessary”.
“We have worked silently and quietly to restore the confidence of the people, security services and the army in the state after it was shaken by the adventures of outlaws,” Kadhimi tweeted.
“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.”
