Interior minister visits slain officer’s family after deadly ministry office attack

BAGHDAD — Interior Minister Abdul Amir Al-Shammari on Saturday visited the family of Ghazwan Karim Salman, a federal police officer killed during an armed assault on a government building in Baghdad that also left at least 15 people injured.

Al-Shammari offered condolences and vowed legal accountability for those behind the attack.

“Legal action will be taken against those responsible in accordance with official procedures to ensure justice is served,” he said during the visit.

The incident occurred during an administrative meeting at the Agriculture Directorate in the Dora area of southern Baghdad. Gunmen stormed the building and opened fire, prompting a response from Federal Police and Karkh patrol units, which led to armed clashes.

The Joint Operations Command later confirmed that the assailants were members of the Popular Mobilization Forces’ 45th and 46th brigades.

Salman was killed in the line of duty during what authorities have described as a “regrettable incident.”

During his visit, Al-Shammari listened to the family’s requests and instructed relevant departments to follow up and provide support.

In response to the attack, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani ordered the formation of a high-level investigative committee. The panel is tasked with determining how the armed group mobilized without official approval, examining the attempted seizure of the building, and assessing the attack on government personnel and security forces.

The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad later issued a statement condemning the violence and directly blamed Kataib Hezbollah. It called on the Iraqi government to hold those responsible accountable.