Green Zone sit-in: PMF’s message after targeting Iraqi Prime Minister

Eslam Mohamed

The gates of the Green Zone in Baghdad are still witnessing a sit-in by supporters of the armed factions affiliated with Iran against the results of the parliamentary elections that took place in October due to their loss. The vicinity of the Green Zone, which includes the government, embassies and consulates, has witnessed bloody demonstrations over the past two weeks.

Targeting Kadhimi

The attempt to assassinate Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi by targeting his house with explosive drones shed light on the role of the armed factions that own these drones, after accusing fingers indicated their involvement in the assassination attempt. Iraqi activists shared a video of Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq leader Qais Khazali from the Green Zone sit-in. In it, he accused the Iraqi prime minister of being involved in the killing of demonstrators, considering his words “an explicit condemnation” and evidence of the involvement of what they described as the Tehran-affiliated factions in targeting the prime minister’s residence.

In a video clip during his participation in the funeral of one of the dead who fell during the demonstrations of supporters of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and its factions, Khazali accused Kadhimi of ordering the security forces to deliberately shoot live bullets at the protesters and considered that the prime minister’s behavior confirms his involvement in fraud. An attack campaign against Kadhimi and accusations launched by several factions loyal to Tehran also preceded this assassination attempt. About two weeks ago, supporters of those armed factions affiliated with the Popular Mobilization Forces carried out sit-ins and demonstrations in the vicinity of the Green Zone accusing the government and the Electoral Commission of fraud, and the protesters uploaded pictures of Kadhimi and accused him of killing and fraud.

Clear message

Kadhimi’s targeting confirmed the determination of the pro-Iranian factions affiliated with the PMF that are discontented with the results of the elections that took place on October 10 to send a clear message that they will not be satisfied, nor will they accept Kadhimi’s return as prime minister, especially since Kadhimi’s name is one of the most prominent names proposed for the government formation.

Even hours before the attempt to assassinate him, Kadhimi’s chances of winning a second term were weak due to the confrontations between the demonstrators near the Green Zone gate and the security forces, which caused a number of dead and wounded. This was not in Kadhimi’s interest as prime minister and commander-in-chief of the armed forces. It has become clear to the Iraqi street that targeting the Iraqi prime minister comes in the context of shuffling the cards in order to facilitate the process of sharing power and influence again, in an attempt to bypass the results of the vote.