SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi on Saturday ordered an investigation into an attack on the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) office in Baghdad, burned by a group of Hashid al-Shaabi supporters.
The Ministerial Council for National Security held an emergency session led by Commander-in-Chief of Iraqi Armed Forces Mustafa al-Kadhimi to discuss the security developments in the country.
The council discussed an attack on the KDP headquarters in Baghdad by a group of Hashid al-Shaabi supporters, which it said resorted to violence by setting fire to the building.
“The Council condemned this act and decided to open an investigation into the incident headed by the National Security Adviser,” a statement released by Kadhimi’s press office said.
The council also decided to evaluate the role of the security forces responsible for protecting the building and to pursue those involved in the attack, the statement read.
At least 15 people who violated law were also arrested, the prime minister’s office stated.
It also affirmed that the federal government would take “firm measures” against those who try to break the prestige of the state and the rule of law.
Earlier on Saturday, dozens of Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) stormed and burned down the building of KDP’s fifth branch in Baghdad in response to criticism from the party’s member.
Member of KDP Politburo and former Iraqi foreign minister Hoshyar Zebari said in an interview with Al-Hurra television that the central government needed to “clean up the Green Zone from the presence of Hashid militias”.
Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said he had spoken with Kadhimi regarding the attack and that called for an immediate investigation.
“I strongly condemn today’s violent attack on the KDP office in Baghdad and the burning of the Kurdistan flag. I have spoken to PM @MAKadhimi and called for an immediate investigation and for the outlaws responsible to be held to account,” Barzani said in a tweet.
