Iran, Iraqi groups condemn rocket attack on Baghdad airport

Iran and popular Iraqi groups have condemned a recent rocket attack on Baghdad International Airport compound, saying such “suspicious” moves are aimed at destabilizing the Arab country.

"Such suspicious actions have sparked insecurity and unrest in Iraq, paving the way for ill-wishers and seditionists, and affecting the services provided by the government for Iraqi citizens," Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said on Saturday about the attack.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran has always supported the establishment and preservation of security in Iraq, the development of the country’s progress, and the pervasiveness of Iraq’s security and integration. It also supports the Iraqi government’s measures in creating stability."

According to a statement released by the Iraqi military, six rockets struck Baghdad airport early on Friday, damaging two commercial planes but causing no casualties.

Reports said a total of 10 rockets were fired during the attack. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

Rockets target military base housing US forces at Baghdad airport

At least six rockets reportedly hit the Victory Base hosting US troops at Baghdad International Airport, but the extent of the damage is unclear.

Iraq’s Shia Coordination Framework denounced Friday’s incident as “a criminal terrorist act” meant to “provoke sedition and provide pretexts for interventions that want to find disagreements among the nation's sons.”

Also, former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki took to Twitter to condemn the “treacherous” rocket attack.

“The purpose of these attacks is to damage attempts by the Interior Ministry to provide security and services, and send a negative message to the world about Iraqi airlines and airports,” he said.

“The responsibility for confronting these efforts and criminal acts lies with all of us and security agencies.”

Additionally, Abu Ali al-Askari, a security official from Kata’ib Hezbollah resistance group, said in a tweet, “The policy of disrupting the situation pursued by the election fraudsters and corrupters has no benefits for them. In the latest case, which is the rocket attack on Baghdad airport, sincere security officials and PMU forces must identify the mercenaries and their supporters.”

The PMU (Popular Mobilization Units) is an abbreviation for the Arabic Hashd al-Sha’abi, which played a crucial role in extricating Iraq from Daesh and other terrorist groups.  

PMU foils Daesh infiltration into Tarmia

On Friday, PMU fighters thwarted an infiltration act by Daesh terrorists in Baghdad’s Tarmia district.

In a statement, the PMU released a video of 13 Daesh members trying to reach security checkpoints at the 12th Brigade in al-Tarmia, saying its forces confronted them and forced them to flee.

Daesh began a campaign of terror in Iraq in 2014, overrunning vast swathes in lightning attacks.

The PMU played a major role in reinforcing the Iraqi army, which had initially suffered heavy setbacks in the face of Daesh gains.

Iraq declared victory over Daesh in December 2017 after a three-year military campaign, which also had the support of neighboring Iran.

The terror outfit’s remnants, however, keep staging sporadic attacks across Iraq, attempting to regroup and unleash a new era of violence.

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