Iraqi journalist in critical condition after assassination attempt in Diwaniyah
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — An Iraqi journalist is in hospital fighting for his life after he was shot in the head in Diwaniyah, southern Iraq, early Monday morning, just 24 hours after a prominent activist was assassinated.
Ahmed Hassan, a reporter for al-Forat TV channel, was shot in front of his home in Diwaniyah.
He was transferred to Baghdad’s Neurological Teaching Hospital, arriving in critical condition, Mohamed Moayad, media director at the hospital, told Rudaw English.
Doctors performed an operation to remove a bullet from Hassan’s head and he is now in intensive care, according to Moayad.
Security authorities have opened an investigation into the shooting.
The attempted murder came just hours after the funeral of Ihab al-Wazni, an activist leader who was shot to death near his house in Karbala early Sunday.
There have been 81 attempted assassinations of activists since the anti-government protest movement began in October 2019, according to Ali al-Bayati, a member of the Iraqi High Commission of Human Rights. Thirty-four activists have been killed.
The protests took down the government of Adil Abdul-Mahdi. Current Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi came to power with a promise to meet protester demands and bring the killers to justice, but he has not been able to end the violence. Ten protesters have been killed during his time in office, according to Bayati. Another at least 80 activists are missing.
“Four investigation committees have been formed to investigate assassinations, but with no results,” Bayati said, accusing the government of being “unserious and unwilling” to reveal who are carrying out the killings.
Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr said that assassinations are the “style of cowards.” He called on the government to bring the perpetrators to justice as soon as possible.
He also addressed protesters, tweeting: “We call on everyone to exercise restraint and be patient.”
Iranian-backed Shiite militias are accused of being behind the killings. After Wazni’s murder, angry demonstrations took place in Karbala, Nasiriyah, and Diwaniyah. Protesters set fires at the entrance of the Iranian consulate in Karbala and clashed with security forces in al-Ahrar and Zayed Squares. Videos on social media also showed protesters setting fire to the Dawa party headquarters in Babil province on Monday.
Iran on Monday condemned the violence at their consular office.
“A group violated the representative office of Iran in Karbala. Our embassy in Baghdad and our consulate contacted the relevant authorities in Baghdad and the violators were dealt with,” Saeed Khatibzadeh, spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, said on Monday morning during his weekly press conference. “We hope that the Iraqi government fulfills its responsibility in protecting the diplomatic missions according to the Vienna Convention of 1961. The Foreign Ministry also conveyed a protest note to the Iraqi embassy and we expect the Iraqi government to fulfill its duties.”
Updated at 11:11 am
Ahmed Hassan, a reporter for al-Forat TV channel, was shot in front of his home in Diwaniyah.
He was transferred to Baghdad’s Neurological Teaching Hospital, arriving in critical condition, Mohamed Moayad, media director at the hospital, told Rudaw English.
Doctors performed an operation to remove a bullet from Hassan’s head and he is now in intensive care, according to Moayad.
Security authorities have opened an investigation into the shooting.
The attempted murder came just hours after the funeral of Ihab al-Wazni, an activist leader who was shot to death near his house in Karbala early Sunday.
There have been 81 attempted assassinations of activists since the anti-government protest movement began in October 2019, according to Ali al-Bayati, a member of the Iraqi High Commission of Human Rights. Thirty-four activists have been killed.
The protests took down the government of Adil Abdul-Mahdi. Current Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi came to power with a promise to meet protester demands and bring the killers to justice, but he has not been able to end the violence. Ten protesters have been killed during his time in office, according to Bayati. Another at least 80 activists are missing.
“Four investigation committees have been formed to investigate assassinations, but with no results,” Bayati said, accusing the government of being “unserious and unwilling” to reveal who are carrying out the killings.
Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr said that assassinations are the “style of cowards.” He called on the government to bring the perpetrators to justice as soon as possible.
He also addressed protesters, tweeting: “We call on everyone to exercise restraint and be patient.”
Iranian-backed Shiite militias are accused of being behind the killings. After Wazni’s murder, angry demonstrations took place in Karbala, Nasiriyah, and Diwaniyah. Protesters set fires at the entrance of the Iranian consulate in Karbala and clashed with security forces in al-Ahrar and Zayed Squares. Videos on social media also showed protesters setting fire to the Dawa party headquarters in Babil province on Monday.
Iran on Monday condemned the violence at their consular office.
“A group violated the representative office of Iran in Karbala. Our embassy in Baghdad and our consulate contacted the relevant authorities in Baghdad and the violators were dealt with,” Saeed Khatibzadeh, spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, said on Monday morning during his weekly press conference. “We hope that the Iraqi government fulfills its responsibility in protecting the diplomatic missions according to the Vienna Convention of 1961. The Foreign Ministry also conveyed a protest note to the Iraqi embassy and we expect the Iraqi government to fulfill its duties.”
Updated at 11:11 am