Iraqi government blames Kataib Hezbollah brigades for deadly Baghdad agriculture directorate attack

BAGHDAD — The Iraqi government has concluded its investigation into the July 27 attack on a government building in Baghdad, identifying members of Kataib Hezbollah, affiliated with 45th and 46th Brigades of Popular Mobilization Forces as responsible, according to a statement from Sabah Al-Numan, spokesman for the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

The attack, which killed and injured security personnel and civilians, occurred when “an armed force, in violation of the law, entered a civilian government office,” Al-Numan said. He added that the force acted “without orders or authorizations” and used weapons against security services.

The investigation also found that the dismissed director of the Karkh Agriculture Directorate, Iyad Kadhim Ali, had prior coordination with the armed force and was complicit in “administrative corruption, impersonation, forgery of official documents and certificates, and participation in the falsification of contracts” that led to the unlawful seizure of agricultural land.

Citing “leadership and control deficiency within the PMF,” the commander-in-chief approved recommendations to dismiss the commanders of the 45th and 46th Brigades, form an investigative committee into the commander of Al-Jazira Operations Command for negligence, and refer all individuals involved to the judiciary with supporting evidence.

The incident, which occurred during a meeting at the Agriculture Directorate in southern Baghdad, involved gunmen storming the building and opening fire. Security forces responded, leading to clashes that left a federal police officer dead and at least 15 others wounded.

Kataib Hezbollah Secretary-General Abu Hussein Al-Hamidawi has called on the Shia Coordination Framework to suspend Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani’s executive powers until the end of the government’s term.

Statement from Sabah Al-Numan:

Following the orders of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani, the specialized committee has completed its investigative procedures into the heinous attack on the Karkh Agriculture Directorate on July 27, 2025, which resulted in the loss of innocent lives after an armed force, in violation of the law, entered a civilian government office.

The investigation concluded the following:
• The armed elements responsible for this breach belong to the Kataib Hezbollah, affiliated with the 45th and 46th Brigades of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF).
• The armed force acted without orders or authorizations, in contravention of established military protocols, and used weapons against members of the security services, resulting in the deaths and injuries of both security personnel and civilians.
• The dismissed director of the Karkh Agriculture Directorate, Mr. Iyad Kadhim Ali, was proven, through investigations, administrative orders, official documents, and his personal administrative file, to have been involved in prior coordination to bring in this force. He was also found complicit in cases of administrative corruption, impersonation, forgery of official documents and certificates, and participation in the falsification of contracts, which led to the unlawful seizure of agricultural lands from their rightful owners.
• A leadership and control deficiency within the PMF was identified, with certain formations failing to comply with established regulations and military movements.

Based on these findings, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces approved the investigative committee’s recommendations, which included:
• Dismissing the commanders of the 45th and 46th Brigades of the PMF from their positions.
• Forming an investigative committee for the Commander of Al-Jazira Operations Command in the PMF for negligence in leadership and control duties.
• Referring all individuals involved in the incident to the judiciary, along with the investigative files, evidence, and incriminating materials.
• Holding accountable all those who failed or delayed in taking swift legal and security measures in accordance with their assigned responsibilities.
• Addressing any lack of adherence to regulations and disciplinary protocols for movements within certain PMF formations, with zero tolerance for delay or leniency.
• Reviewing the deployment, composition, and professional competence of units holding sectors, as well as the capability of their commanders and officers, through a committee formed from relevant ministries and senior leadership.
• Honoring distinguished security personnel who effectively and courageously confronted the attack in the line of duty.
• Guaranteeing the rights of the martyrs and wounded who were victims of the attack, including the civilian citizen Abbas Ubaid Nahi, who is to be recognized as a martyr with full civil rights.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces reaffirms his orders to all security formations to strictly adhere to military regulations, and under no circumstances to show leniency in enforcing the law. He stressed the need to firmly confront any breach of the law, any act of aggression or threat to societal peace, or any violation of regulations, protocols, or orders by any entity or force, regardless of its mandate. His Excellency also emphasized the full commitment to guaranteeing and protecting the rights of all Iraqis, without discrimination, leniency, or delay.