ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq on Sunday arrested a number of individuals in relation to the desecration of the US flag during events marking the end of the US-led coalition mission after Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi condemned the incident and ordered an investigation and legal action against those responsible.
Iraqi premier's spokesperson Sabah al-Numan said Sunday several individuals were arrested in relation to the incident. "Anyone proven to be involved in this act will be held accountable and face legal measures in accordance with Iraqi laws and diplomatic norms," said Numan. He didn't specify the number of individuals arrested.
Members of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) were photographed driving vehicles over large US flags during a symbolic procession in Baghdad on October 1, a day after the US-led coalition formally ended its military mission in the country. AFP photographs also showed Israeli flags being driven over.
The PMF telegram channels did not publish the photos of the desecration of the American flag even though they published photos of vehicles driving over the flag of Israel. There were banners on display of those killed in US airstrikes described as proof of US crimes.
The government said it had "a legal and diplomatic obligation" to respect symbols of "friendly nations and diplomatic missions," and anyone who committed such acts would be subjected to its legal authority.
Zaidi, in his capacity as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, ordered the formation of an investigative committee earlier in the day to determine the circumstances surrounding what his office described as an infringement against the US flag during one of the parades held as part of Iraq’s “Sovereignty Day” events.
The prime minister “condemned this act, stressing the necessity of adhering to laws and diplomatic norms,” his spokesperson Sabah al-Numan said, adding that Zaidi ordered the necessary legal measures against those responsible and instructed investigators to submit their findings “as quickly as possible.”
The incident drew criticism from US Republican Congressman Joe Wilson, who on Sunday accused the PMF of showing “disrespect” toward the United States and said the images demonstrated Tehran’s influence in Iraq.
“If you needed any more proof that Iraq is an Iranian province… Iraqi PM Zaidi, is this what you think of America? Free Iraq from Iran,” Wilson wrote on X.
The PMF was formally incorporated into Iraq’s security forces in 2016 and operates under the authority of the commander-in-chief, although the umbrella organization includes powerful Iran-aligned factions with longstanding ties to Tehran.
Victoria Taylor, director of the Iraq Initiative at the Atlantic Council and a former US deputy assistant secretary of state for Iraq and Iran, also criticized the desecration, saying she had been uneasy about Baghdad declaring “Sovereignty Days” to mark the departure of US troops and the end of Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR).
Iraq marked September 30 as “Sovereignty Day” following the formal conclusion of the US-led coalition’s mission against the Islamic State (ISIS). The coalition had deployed to the country at Baghdad’s request in 2014 after ISIS seized large areas of Iraq.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi said this week that some armed factions had committed to addressing the issue of weapons in accordance with the constitution and a government timetable, while calling on the remaining groups to follow suit.
The government has set June 30, 2027, as the deadline for bringing weapons outside state control under government authority.
Last updated at 4:20 PM.
