Rockets land in Baghdad as MPs arrive to vote president

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The heavily fortified Green Zone in Iraq's capital of Baghdad was targeted by several rockets on Thursday, causing a number of injuries, as MPs from various Iraqi political blocs arrive at the parliament ahead of a session intended to elect the country's next president.

Iraq's Security Media Cell reported that nine Katyusha rockets fell on the Green Zone and its surroundings "resulting in the injury of a number of members of the security forces and citizens."

The rocket strikes come as lawmakers arrive at the Iraqi parliament to elect the country's next president after over a year of suffocating political turmoil with the country unable to elect a president on three occasions.

The primary forerunners for the post are the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan's (PUK) candidate incumbent Barham Salih and Latif Rashid, former water resources minister and PUK leader running as an independent but supported by the largest Kurdish party in the parliament - the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) - after their candidate announced his resignation from the race on Thursday.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi said he “categorically rejects any attempt to obstruct the democratic process” following the rocket attacks,” and added that he has directed security forces to “take all necessary measures to provide security and to prevent any attempt to use uncontrolled weapons.”  

Hassan al-Athari, a senior Sadrist figure, condemned the rocket attacks on the Green Zone. 

“Anyone who uses weapons to obstruct the session is loyal to the corrupt and wants to dominance the country and the people, because Iraq is greater than uncontrolled weapons,” state media cited Athari as saying. 

The US Embassy in Baghdad condemned “in the strongest terms” the rocket attacks that landed in the Green Zone.

“The people of Iraq must resolve their political differences and grievances solely thru peaceful means. Attacks like these undermine democracy and trap Iraq in a perpetual cycle of violence,” Ambassador Alina Romanowski tweeted. 

The UK mission in Iraq also denounced the attack, describing it as "unacceptable."

"Violence has no part in the political process and state institutions must be allowed to operate," UK Ambassador Mark Bryson-Richardson said in a tweet.

The Green Zone late last month was again targeted by three rockets which led to the injuries of seven members of the security forces as the Iraqi parliament held their first session since deadly unrest took over the capital city in August after prominent Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr announced his resignation from politics.

While Kurdish political parties were attempting to agree on a presidential pick, the Khor Mor gas field operated by UAE-based Dana Gas in Sulaimani's Chamchamal district was targeted by several rockets on Wednesday night but no casualties or material damages were incurred.

 

Updated at 1:20pm with Kadhimi, US, and UK statements.