US accuses Kataib Hezbollah of deadly assault on Baghdad ministry

The United States has accused the Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah group of orchestrating a deadly assault on Iraq’s Agriculture Ministry building in Baghdad on July 27, during the swearing-in of a newly appointed director.

According to Iraq’s Interior Ministry, the attack left one police officer dead and resulted in the arrest of 14 fighters affiliated with the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), a state-affiliated umbrella group of mostly Shiite paramilitary factions, Caliber.Az reports per Arabic international newspaper.

Kataib Hezbollah, designated as a terrorist organisation by the US, is a powerful faction within the PMF.

The US Embassy in Baghdad condemned the violence, holding Kataib Hezbollah responsible, and extended condolences to the victims’ families.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani convened an emergency security meeting following the incident. He pledged to protect state institutions, vowed a thorough investigation, and emphasised that “no one is above the law.”

Local sources reported the violence stemmed from an internal dispute between rival armed groups over control of agricultural lands in the al-Dora district, south of Baghdad.

The former ministry director’s dismissal—reportedly linked to Kataib Hezbollah—and appointment of a replacement backed by a rival faction escalated tensions.

Security forces intervened as the clash broke out during the transition. The 14 arrested assailants were linked to the PMF’s 45th and 46th brigades and have been referred to the judiciary.

The PMF leadership condemned the unsanctioned attack and vowed legal action against members acting outside official directives.

Kataib Hezbollah is an Iran-aligned Shiite militia group based in Iraq, established after the 2003 U.S. invasion. Part of the broader "Axis of Resistance," it operates under the umbrella of the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), a network of militias integrated into Iraq's security apparatus.

The group has been involved in numerous attacks against U.S. and Israeli targets in Iraq and Syria, including missile and drone strikes.

In recent developments, Kataib Hezbollah has issued a stern warning to the United States, threatening to resume attacks on U.S. military forces in the region if the U.S. intervenes in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.

The group's Secretary-General, Abu Hussein al-Hamidawi, emphasised in a statement that they are closely monitoring U.S. military movements and will target American interests and bases across the region without hesitation if provoked.

By Aghakazim Guliyev