Counselors of Iraqi MP Al-Kadhimi: Revealing the party that assassinated Hisham al-Hashemi will blow up political situation in Iraq

BAGHDAD — Counselors of Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi revealed that the suspect in the assassination of Iraqi security expert Hisham al-Hashemi is linked to one of the Iranian-backed armed factions. Al-Kadhimi’s counselors stated that the announcement of the party that assassinated Al-Hashemi would blow up the political situation in Iraq.

Counselors of the Iraqi Prime Minister, Mustafa al-Kadhimi were surprised that the violence might reach his close inner circle, of which Hisham al-Hashemi was a part.

Although the identity of the killer has not yet been made public, Iraqi officials say that the killer is linked to one of the Iranian-backed factions that Al-Kadhimi has confronted since he was confirmed as Prime Minister in May.

An investigation by the Deputy Interior Minister is currently underway. Meanwhile, Al-Kadhimi’s counselors and his political allies say that, “Determining who gave the kill order may blow up the political situation dramatically.”

One of the counselors, under the condition he remain anonymous, stated that, “Al-Kadhimi wants justice but his hands are tied,” indicating that conducting a comprehensive investigation that may point to Iran is dangerous for any politician in Iraq.

“Al-Hashemi has become a victim of the escalating fighting between the Prime Minister and the militias, which is part of a greater competition between the U.S. and Iran for spreading their influence in Iraq,” an expert in Iraqi affairs stated.

Yesterday, Al-Kadhimi ordered an investigation into the bloody events that took place in Baghdad’s Al-Tahrir Square on Sunday. During protests, two people were killed and dozens more wounded by bullets fired by security forces.

The violence over the weekend in Al-Tahrir Square are the first since the government of Mustafa al-Kadhimi took office in May.