U.S. military officials stated on Saturday that it is likely Iran did not order the drone strike targeting Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Kazemi's home last week. They mentioned that Tehran has been losing control over Shiite militias in Baghdad since the killing of Qassem Soleimani in early 2020 due to a U.S. airstrike, but they also indicated that it is "almost certain that Iranian-backed Shiite militias" are behind the attack on the Iraqi Prime Minister, according to NBC.
Security officials and sources close to armed Iraqi factions revealed that the attack was carried out by a group supported by Iran. Additionally, sources told Reuters earlier today, under the condition of anonymity, that the drones and explosives used in the attack were made in Iran.
Regarding the involvement of Hezbollah Brigades, two Iraqi security officials and three sources close to the "loyal" factions (as they are locally referred to) explained that the attack was perpetrated by at least one of those groups, but they provided slightly different assessments regarding which factions were specifically involved. The officials added that both the Hezbollah Brigades and Asaib Ahl al-Haq executed the attack together. Meanwhile, a source from an armed group indicated that the Hezbollah Brigades were involved but did not confirm the involvement of Asaib.
"We know the perpetrators of the assassination attempt," Kazemi confirmed in a speech last Sunday during a cabinet session, stating that security forces "know the perpetrators of the assassination attempt and will reveal them". He emphasized that the attack on his home was carried out with explosive-laden drones that were directed at him specifically.
It is noteworthy that three drones targeted the Prime Minister's home in the heavily fortified Green Zone at dawn on Sunday, which includes foreign embassies and consulates, as well as official institutions. The security forces managed to intercept two of the drones, but the third successfully hit Kazemi's residence.
This attack followed a campaign of mobilization and incitement led by factions loyal to Tehran, which are part of the Popular Mobilization Forces, against Kazemi over clashes that occurred between security forces and his supporters who were demonstrating around the Green Zone on Friday and Saturday, resulting in the death of one of the leaders of those factions. Later, Asaib Ahl al-Haq and the Hezbollah Brigades accused the Prime Minister of ordering security forces to fire live ammunition, threatening him to pay the price.
However, the Secretary-General of Asaib, Qais al-Khazali, later condemned the attack on Kazemi's home, "if it was intended," as he expressed, while the Hezbollah Brigades mocked the attack, considering it fabricated, asserting that "none of the factions is ready to lose a march against a former Prime Minister."
