Thread by @IraqiSecurity

Now that the dust has settled, what happened in #Baghdad last night?

#Iraq’s Counter-Terrorism Service was handed intelligence about an imminent rocket attack against the Green Zone and its perpetrators.

An anti-terrorism arrest warrant was supplied by a judge.

[continued]

Units within #Iraq’s Counter-Terrorism Service descended upon the location of the suspects in southern #Baghdad.

Preparations for the attack were under way and the rocket launchers were ready to be fired.

CTS detained 14 members of Kata’ib Hezbollah and seized two launchers.

The detainees were entrusted by #Iraq’s CTS to the Hashd Al-Sha’abi’s security apparatus while an investigation conducted by a special Ministry of Interior/Hashd committee looked into the detainees’ actions.

Hashd factions close to KH began issuing threats and mobilising.

A large convoy of #Iran-friendly Hashd members embarked on a loud and attention-seeking journey through #Baghdad, in the early hours, towards the fortified Green Zone.

Inside the GZ, a militia had formed around the CTC HQ demanding the detainees’ release. Some commotion ensued.

There were reports, as the situation unfolded last night, of negotiations & interventions by high-ranking politicians such as Hadi Al-‘Amiri in order to free the detainees, and that the attempts had been successful.

While attempts were very likely made, they were not successful.

The situation remains tense.

#Iraq’s security forces will likely be on high alert over the next few days, with the expectation of some kind of retaliation or attempts to gain leverage.

But this situation is drenched in inevitability. It was a long time coming.