- Title: Funeral after killing of prominent Iraqi political analyst al-Hashemi
- Date: 7th July 2020
- Summary: BAGHDAD, IRAQ (JULY 7, 2020) (REUTERS) MOURNERS CARRYING COFFIN OF POLITICAL ANALYST AND FORMER GOVERNMENT ADVISER, HISHAM AL-HASHEMI, OUT OF THE MORGUE AND SHOUTING (Arabic): ''THERE IS NO GOD BUT ALLAH'' VARIOUS OF MOURNERS CARRYING THE COFFIN DURING FUNERAL PROCESSION AND SHOUTING (Arabic): ''THERE IS NO GOD BUT ALLAH'' (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) TRIBAL SHEIKH, MOHAMMED HAMUD, SAYING: ''An armed group, we don't know from which party. They shot him dead near his house in plain sight and there is a video showing him being shot dead. They assassinated doctor Hisham. This is what has happened.'' MEN WEARING FACE MASKS STANDING IN SILENCE NEXT TO THE COFFIN MOURNERS LOOKING AT THE COFFIN BEING SECURED ON TOP OF VEHICLE AND SHOUTING (Arabic): "THERE IS NO GOD, BUT ALLAH'' VARIOUS OF MEN SECURING THE COFFIN ON THE ROOF OF A VEHICLE AND DRAPPING IT IN THE IRAQI FLAG (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) POLITICAL ANALYST, NAJEM AL-QASAB, SAYING: ''Since he (the Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi) took office, he said that his government is a government of actions and not of words, and medium as well as heavy weapons should be in the hands of the state. So, is he (al-Kadhimi) able to overcome this situation and transform the non-state into a state? We are waiting for the next days. First, he has to investigate which party killed Hisham al-Hashemi and secondly, he should work to put all weapons in the hands of the government so that peace and security can be brought to the Iraqi people.'' MOURNERS WITH COFFIN ON TOP OF VEHICLE MOURNERS GATHERED AROUND THE VEHICLE
- Embargoed: 21st July 2020 12:53
- Keywords: Baghdad Hisham al-Hashemi Iraq assasination funeral gunmen procession
- Location: BAGHDAD, IRAQ
- City: BAGHDAD, IRAQ
- Country: Iraq
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace
- Reuters ID: LVA001CLT9ZD3
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Gunmen in Baghdad shot dead a well-known former government advisor and political analyst near his home on Monday (July 6) in a rare high-profile killing in the Iraqi capital, government officials, police sources and medics said.
The government officials described the killing of Hisham al-Hashemi, who had written about politics, Islamic State and the role of Iran-backed militias in Iraq, as a targeted killing but did not point the finger at any particular group.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Hashemi's killing.
It comes at a time of rising tension between the new government of Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi and powerful Iran-backed militias and political parties who oppose him and accuse him of siding with the United States.
Police sources said two gunmen on a motorbike carried out the killing, with one shooting him outside his house in the Zayouna district in eastern Baghdad.
Hashemi, who was well-connected with politicians, activists and paramilitary officials, worked as an advisor to former Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and informally with the government of current Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, a government official said.
Kadhimi issued a statement offering his condolences. Iraq's state paramilitary organisation, which is dominated by Iran-backed groups, called for an investigation of his death.
The new prime minister has come under increasing pressure from Iran-aligned militias since he took office in May.
An arrest raid that targeted one of the most hardline Iran-backed militias last month angered paramilitary groups, which pressed the government to release those detained.
Most of the militiamen were released almost immediately.
Kadhimi presides over a government which must balance the competing interest of the United States and Iran, Iraq's two main allies.
The United States wants the Iraqi government to put a stop to regular rocket attacks on U.S. facilities, which Washington blames on Iran-backed militias.
Iran's allies in Iraq demand a withdrawal of U.S. troops from the country, which the United States invaded in 2003, toppling dictator Saddam Hussein and paving the way for Iran to entrench its influence over Baghdad.
Kadhimi took office after being viewed as acceptable to both sides.
(Production: Thaier al-Sudani, Mohammed Katfan, John Davison, Charlotte Bruneau) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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