PM Sudani orders investigation into rocket fall in Baghdad airport
ERBIL, Kurdistan region - Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani on Tuesday ordered an investigation into a “security breach” after Katyusha rockets landed at Baghdad International Airport.
Sudani “has directed the Minister of Interior to conduct an immediate investigation to determine the causes of the security breach involving the launch of several Katyusha rockets from the Ameriya area last night,” according to a statement from his office.
“He has also ordered that the results of the investigation and the identification of those responsible be announced within 48 hours,” the statement added.
The Iraqi interior ministry said on Tuesday that around 12:20 am two Katyusha rockets fell in Baghdad, first in a garage of the second regiment of the counter-terrorism services, and the second in an abandoned yard inside Baghdad International Airport.
“The interior ministry has initiated an investigation into the security forces responsible for the Ameriya area in Baghdad, where the breach occurred,” the statement said, adding that the commander of the force was also detained to determine the reasons and the circumstances of the incident.
No party has claimed responsibility for the incident.
The incident comes amid rising tensions in the Middle East, with Baghdad witnessing several restless nights as protests ensued over the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut on Friday.
On Saturday, supporters of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) attempted to enter Baghdad’s Green Zone, home of diplomatic missions, with the intent to burn down the US embassy, in retaliation for Nasrallah’s death.
Sudani “has directed the Minister of Interior to conduct an immediate investigation to determine the causes of the security breach involving the launch of several Katyusha rockets from the Ameriya area last night,” according to a statement from his office.
“He has also ordered that the results of the investigation and the identification of those responsible be announced within 48 hours,” the statement added.
The Iraqi interior ministry said on Tuesday that around 12:20 am two Katyusha rockets fell in Baghdad, first in a garage of the second regiment of the counter-terrorism services, and the second in an abandoned yard inside Baghdad International Airport.
“The interior ministry has initiated an investigation into the security forces responsible for the Ameriya area in Baghdad, where the breach occurred,” the statement said, adding that the commander of the force was also detained to determine the reasons and the circumstances of the incident.
No party has claimed responsibility for the incident.
The incident comes amid rising tensions in the Middle East, with Baghdad witnessing several restless nights as protests ensued over the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut on Friday.
On Saturday, supporters of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) attempted to enter Baghdad’s Green Zone, home of diplomatic missions, with the intent to burn down the US embassy, in retaliation for Nasrallah’s death.