Iraqi Security Forces arrest Popular Mobilization Forces commander Qassim Musleh for alleged involvement in attacks against U.S. military personnel

ANBAR, Iraq / BAGHDAD — Official sources reported that the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) arrested the commander of Anbar Operations of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), Qassim Musleh, on Wednesday for his involvement in attacks on U.S. military personnel based in the country.

The sources indicated that Musleh is accused of being involved in attacks on bases hosting U.S. forces, including the attack on the Ain al-Asad Air Base in the west of the country several weeks ago.

The sources also stated that the ISF now fully control the Green Zone in the center of Baghdad after the withdrawal of PMF militias that entered the area on Wednesday and besieged it in protest against the arrest of Musleh.

According to the same sources, traffic has returned to normal inside the Green Zone and the ISF control the entrances and exits. The committee tasked to investigate the charges against Musleh will start its work on Thursday.

On Wednesday, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi ordered the formation of a joint committee of Military Intelligence, Internal Intelligence, Joint Operations, and the PMF officials to investigate the case of Musleh.

Kadhimi also stressed that protecting the security of Iraq and the Iraqi people is the responsibility of the government and the security and military forces that answer to it and called on all Iraqis to prioritize the national interests above their own.