Clashes Between Iraqi Security Forces and 'Hezbollah Brigades'

Iraqi security forces raided the base of the Shiite militia group 'Hezbollah Brigades of Iraq' on Friday, September 14, in search of 18 Turkish workers kidnapped in Baghdad, resulting in several casualties. The armed militants, dressed in military uniforms, kidnapped 18 Turkish citizens working on a sports stadium project in the Shiite neighborhood of Sadr City in northeast Baghdad on Wednesday. Earlier, diplomatic sources had predicted that Turkey might be targeted for retaliatory attacks due to its recent decision to participate in international coalition strikes against Islamic State (ISIS) positions in Syria. Turkey has allowed its air bases to be used by the U.S.-led international coalition to bomb ISIS positions. However, it remains unclear whether the kidnapping of Turkish citizens is related to Turkey's recent decision to engage in the fight against extremists. No group has claimed responsibility for the abduction of these workers so far. Iraqi news agency ARA News reported that the 'U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and Turkish intelligence informed Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Thursday evening about intelligence indicating that the kidnapped Turkish workers were being held on Palestine Street in Baghdad at one of the Hezbollah Brigades' bases. Consequently, al-Abadi ordered an operation to arrest the kidnappers. Reuters, citing Saad al-Hadithi, the spokesman for the Iraqi Prime Minister, reported that Iraqi security forces came under fire during their operation when they attempted to raid a house on Palestine Street. Al-Hadithi added, 'According to available information, one of the members of the group involved in the kidnapping of the Turks is present in this house.' However, he did not specify whether this suspect was arrested or provide details about their connection to the 'Hezbollah Brigades of Iraq.' Meanwhile, Karim al-Nouri, spokesman for the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) to which the Hezbollah Brigades belong, denied the involvement of this Shiite militia group in the kidnapping of the Turkish workers. The PMF was formed to combat the Islamic State. Al-Nouri stated that the routine inspection operation led to clashes that resulted in the death of one security personnel and injuries to two members of the Hezbollah group. He explained that the clashes occurred due to accusations against the 'Hezbollah Brigades of Iraq' for kidnapping the Turks. He added that ultimately, after inspections conducted by Iraqi security forces, the accusations were proven to be false. Nevertheless, conflicting reports continue to circulate regarding the outcome of the incident and the success of Iraqi forces in their inspection operation. Reuters reported, citing a security source, that army forces inspected the 'Hezbollah Brigades of Iraq' base and surrounding buildings but found no trace of the kidnapped individuals. However, some local Iraqi sources, including ARA News, reported that the Baghdad operations commander informed al-Abadi that they believe 'the Turkish hostages are still in the area; therefore, security forces have surrounded the area and are monitoring movements.' Meanwhile, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu contacted his Iraqi counterpart and thanked him for his efforts to locate the kidnapped Turkish citizens. In this call, Davutoglu committed that Turkey would take any necessary action to ensure the hostages' freedom. Last year, Turkey successfully negotiated the release of 46 of its citizens who had been kidnapped by the Islamic State in Mosul, who had been held captive for more than three months.