Iraq Interior Ministry says diplomatic missions, prisons ‘secured’

BAGHDAD — The Iraqi Interior Ministry said Sunday it is providing protection for diplomatic missions, investors and key facilities across the country, adding that prisons are fully secured with multiple security perimeters.

Interior Ministry spokesperson Abbas al-Bahadli told the state-owned Iraqi News Agency that “the Ministry of Interior is continuing to secure protection for all diplomatic missions, independent bodies, investors, businessmen and figures.”

The assurance message comes as diplomatic and military sites across Iraq have faced a sustained wave of attacks since the regional war began Feb. 28. The U.S. embassy in Baghdad compound has been struck multiple times. The Al-Rasheed Hotel, housing the Saudi embassy and the EU Advisory Mission, was hit by a drone. The UAE Consulate General in Erbil was targeted twice in a week. NATO completed the withdrawal of all its personnel from Iraq on March 20. Iraq has filed a complaint with the UN Security Council and summoned the U.S. chargé d’affaires following consecutive strikes on Habbaniyah base that killed 22 military personnel over two days.

He confirmed that “prisons are fully secured with additional security cordons,” adding that “the citizen is the main partner in achieving sustainable security.”