SULAIMANI (ESTA) — White House National Security Council said on Thursday it supports Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi to uphold rule of law in the country, condemning groups seeking to undermine Iraq’s stability.
“We strongly support PM Kadhimi & Govt of Iraq’s commitment to uphold rule of law & pave the way for free & fair elections,” it said in a tweet early on Thursday.
“Anyone who targets Iraqi citizens must be investigated pursuant to Iraqi laws. We condemn those who seek to undermine Iraq’s stability with acts of violence,” it added.
The comments came after Iraqi security forces detained a Hashid al-Shaabi commander Qasim Muslih for Anbar province in Baghdad on Wednesday.
As a show of force, the Popular Mobilization forces (PMF) deployed troops to the heavily fortified Green Zone in Baghdad, sparking a state of emergency in the capital.
The prime minister said in a statement that the armed militias’ move had violated the country’s constitution, adding that a committee was formed to investigate accusations against Muslih.
The committee included agents from the joint operations command, intelligence agencies, national security and the PMG, also know as Hashid al-Shaabi.
Two security sources with direct knowledge of the arrest told Reuters that Muslih was detained for involvement in several attacks including assaults on Ain al-Asad air base, which hosts U.S. and international troops.
The air base was attacked at least twice this month with rockets and an unmanned aerial surveillance system.
