Qa'ani is not in Baghdad, a source confirmed

Shafaq News/ A high-ranking security source denied the reports about the arrival of the Commander of the Iranian Quds force, Ismail Qa'ani, in the wake of the arrest of PMF's Operations Commander in al-Anbar, Qasim Musleh.

The source added that neither Qa'ani nor other Iranian officials have landed in Baghdad yesterday or today.

Yesterday, Iraqi security forces arrested al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces-PMF) operations commander in al-Anbar, Qasim Muslih, in a move security sources said was linked to attacks on a base that hosts U.S. forces.

Security sources revealed the PMF commander was arrested in al-Dawra in Baghdad for involvement in several attacks including recent assaults on Ain al-Asad airbase, where U.S. and other international forces are housed.

The airbase was attacked at least four times this month with rockets and an unmanned aerial surveillance system, in incidents seen by many Iraqis as reflecting U.S.-Iranian tensions.

Following the arrest, PMF Brigades drove vehicles around the heavily fortified Green Zone, which hosts foreign embassies and government buildings, as a show of force, and encircled the residence of the Iraqi PM and other officials.

Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi said in a statement later on Wednesday that security forces have arrested someone after an arrested warrant was issued against him in accordance with the terrorism act and based on complaints filed against him.

Al-Kadhimi did not name him in the statement but said the defendant will stay in the custody of the Joint Operations Command until the end of the investigation.

"The armed protest that took place by armed groups are a serious violation of the Iraqi constitution," Kadhimi said in his statement, adding that he had ordered an immediate investigation.

Shi'ite leaders, including Hadi al-Amiri, the leader of al-Fatah Alliance and the Secretary-General of the Badr Organization, have intervened to try to defuse the crisis and proposed transferring Muslih to the PMF custody.

Until the moment, it is unclear whether Musleh is still in the custody of the Iraqi authorities or transferred fo the PMF custody.