At least one medical officer of the Hashd al-Shaabi and one police personnel were killed on Monday in northern Iraq’s Mosul over clashes between the two sides, according to security sources, APA reports quoting Anadolu Agency.
“Armed clashes broke out between local police [in Mosul] and the Hashd al-Shaabi forces in Mosul's Old City that led to the killing of Ibrahim al-Khazaali, an officer in-charge of medical affairs in the Sayyid al-Shuhada brigades affiliated with the Hashd al-Shaabi, and wounding two others from the same faction," an Iraqi army captain told Anadolu Agency on condition of anonymity due to restrictions to speak to media.
The clashes also resulted in the killing of one police personnel and injuring of three other personnel, the source said.
Security forces of the National Security Service arrived in Mosul's Old City to cope with the situation, it added.
Meanwhile, local police lieutenant Ahmad Ismail al-Khafaji attributed the clashes to the Hashd al-Shaabi’s "attempt to gain control over the headquarters of police officers in Mosul’s old city”.
“A force from the Hashd al-Shaabi stormed the headquarters of the seventh regiment when the police personnel were having a rest. They assaulted police personnel and threatened to kill them unless they immediately evacuate the place."
When they rejected to evacuate the police headquarters the clashes erupted between the two sides, Hafaji added.
There was no explanation by the Hashd al-Shaabi commanders who refrained from speaking about the incident.
The Iraqi forces announced it regained control of Mosul from the self-proclaimed Daesh terrorist organization, in the summer of last year, following nine- month fighting.
The Hashd al-Shaabi forces did not participate in the battles to retake the city center, however, it has entered it in the wake of the defeat of Daesh and took permanent positions there.
The Hashd al-Shaabi fought alongside Iraqi forces against Daesh for three years, however, it faces charges of abuses against civilians, Sunnis and Kurds in the areas.
The commanders of the Hashd al-Shaabi, for their part, deny any systematic violations.
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