Iraq army withdraws tanks, military vehicles from Baghdad amid security tension

The Iraqi army on Sunday withdrew tanks and military vehicles deployed in the capital, Baghdad, amid security tension over the arrest of a prominent Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) leader, Anadolu Agency reported.

On Wednesday, the Iraqi security forces arrested the head of the PMF militia, Qassim Mahmoud Musleh, in Anbar province, based on a judicial investigation and arrest warrant on terrorism charges.

Shortly after the arrest, forces affiliated with the PMF were deployed to surround Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi’s headquarters to pressure for Musleh’s release.

An officer of the Iraqi Ministry of Defence, who asked not to be named, told Anadolu Agency that the army’s tanks and armoured vehicles had been deployed to prevent any forces from heading towards the Green Zone. He added that once tension subsided, they were withdrawn based on directives from the Armed Forces Command.

There was no immediate comment from the Iraqi authorities on the withdrawal until 11:45 (GMT).

The PMF is a state-sanctioned militia group formed to defeat Daesh in 2014. Among the most powerful members of the group are Iran-backed Shia militia groups.

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