PMU under pressure to integrate into Iraqi state
Following dramatic changes in the leadership of the Popular Mobilization Units, two rockets hit near the US Embassy in Baghdad, signaling discontent with the move.
In a meeting between US President Donald Trump and his Iraqi counterpart, Barham Salih, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting Sept. 24, Trump asked Salih, "Can you assure us that you can control all the rogue elements, especially that we have two rockets landing?"
Trump was referring to the two Katyusha rockets that landed near the US Embassy in Baghdad Sept. 23, with no casulaties. Iraqi security forces captured the Katyusha launchpad in the al-Aathar district near Dora, but no one has claimed responsibility so far.
The US-led coalition forces in Baghdad further warned in a statement that attacking coalition personnel and facilities "will not be tolerated" and that forces preserved the right to self-defense.
"We take this incident seriously, as do our Iraqi security forces partners," the coalition statement said.
