Over a dozen have been arrested following a clash that killed several, including a civilian and an Iraqi police officer.

Three people were killed on Sunday when a gunfight broke out in Baghdad between members of the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) and Iraqi security forces.

PMU fighters stormed a Ministry of Agriculture building in Baghdad during the appointment of a new director, according to Iraq’s Interior Ministry. The PMU fighters reportedly wanted to block the replacement of the former director.

Iraqi media reports said the dispute began between members of two armed factions and escalated after police and security forces intervened and were fired at.

A statement from Iraq’s Joint Operations Command, which reports to Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, said the 14 detained fighters have been referred to the judiciary.

They reportedly hail from PMU Brigades 45 and 46, which are said to be closely linked to Kataib Hezbollah.

AFP cited sources saying one Kataib Hezbollah member was killed and six were wounded. One civilian and a police officer were also killed. A Kataib Hezbollah member was cited as saying that the group does “not want to escalate.”

The Cradle Media report

Most certainly, the American agenda plays a big role in the replacement of the acting agricultural director.

A more favourable pro-West director might have taken the prestigious position to enforce American interest.

However, time will prove.