Translated Content:
Following the shooting of a woman by a bullet fired from the US Embassy… Calls to end the American presence in Iraq
The Badr Bloc in the Iraqi Parliament has called on the legislative and executive branches to end the American presence on Iraqi soil, following the shooting of the wife of a former member of parliament by an American sniper. The bloc asserted that the US Embassy in Baghdad has been transformed into a “military base.”
A statement issued by the bloc, headed by Hadi al-Amiri, said, “While the Badr Bloc condemns the shooting of a civilian resident in the residential complex opposite the embassy by a member of the US military in Baghdad, which resulted in a serious injury to an Iraqi woman’s intestines, we also condemn this illegal act, which demonstrates the transformation of the US Embassy grounds into a military base and the use of weapons that terrorize civilians, in violation of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.” The bloc deemed this action unacceptable on both political and diplomatic levels, as pointing firearms at safe residential areas and endangering the lives of their inhabitants violates Iraqi sovereignty as stipulated in Articles 1, 50, and 109 of the Constitution, and also violates the Iraqi people's right to life and security according to Article 15 of the Constitution.
The statement added: "Based on national and humanitarian considerations, we call upon the legislative and executive authorities to fulfill their duties as defined in the Constitution and applicable laws to guarantee full national sovereignty, end all manifestations of the American military presence in Iraq, and provide assurances to citizens that such incidents will not be repeated."
It also called upon "the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces and the Council of Representatives to form an investigative committee to examine the circumstances of this blatant violation of Iraqi sovereignty and the rights of its citizens." The bloc announced its “support and solidarity with the citizen victimized by US forces, regarding the filing of a criminal complaint against the perpetrator and his trial before Iraqi courts, as well as providing legal support for filing a civil lawsuit against the perpetrator before the courts of first instance to demand, along with the US Embassy, compensation for the material and moral damages suffered by the injured citizen.”
Last Saturday, former MP Abdul Amir al-Ghazali revealed details of his wife being shot by the US Embassy while praying at home. He indicated that initial investigations confirmed the bullet came from the window overlooking the embassy.
According to al-Ghazali, “On Friday at 7:30 PM, I was with my family at my home in the al-Qadisiyah complex in the Green Zone. My wife was praying when we heard a very loud noise, and immediately afterward, my wife was hit by a bullet that entered through the window,” as reported by Alsumaria News.
He added, “We then took my wife to Ibn Sina Hospital,” noting that “the bullet wound is documented with photos and video.” He indicated that "initial investigations into the incident confirmed that the bullet entered through a window overlooking the US Embassy."
The injured woman's son, Adel al-Ghazali, spoke about his mother's unstable condition while hospitalized due to the injury.
He explained that "my mother was shot while performing her prayers," adding that "the relevant authorities are taking the necessary measures regarding his mother's gunshot wound."
According to him, "a government committee has been formed to investigate the shooting incident," noting that his mother's condition "is unstable in the hospital due to the injury."
Earlier, the head of the parliamentary Security and Defense Committee, Karim Aliwi al-Muhammadawi, revealed the formation of a joint committee to investigate the injury of an Iraqi citizen in the Green Zone by gunfire from the US Embassy.
According to a statement from the US Embassy regarding the incident, its investigation revealed "an unintentional shooting by an individual inside the embassy compound, and this was an unfortunate incident."
The embassy confirmed that it "is taking this matter very seriously and is continuing its investigation," indicating that they "have informed the Iraqi authorities and will continue close coordination with them." Meanwhile, MP Amer al-Fayez, a member of the Shiite "Coordination Framework" bloc, described the sniper's actions at the US Embassy—shooting Iraqi citizens and wounding the wife of former MP Abdul Amir al-Ghazali—as a major violation, stressing the need for strict oversight of the embassy's conduct.
In statements to media outlets affiliated with the "Framework," he said, "The US Embassy's violations are completely unacceptable. There have been protests and official memoranda of protest, especially since the wife of an MP residing in the residential complex opposite the embassy was wounded." He emphasized that "this is a serious violation."
He added, "The US Embassy apologized, but this is insufficient," indicating that "the MP and his wife may demand compensation."
He explained that the apology was "a temporary solution," stressing that "there should be strict monitoring to prevent such violations."
MP Mohammed Anouz, a member of the Legal Committee, also condemned the "criminal" act committed by the US Embassy against an Iraqi citizen in Baghdad. He stated that "the violations committed by America against Iraq are unacceptable, and American forces must adhere to the strategic agreements."
He emphasized the necessity of "respectful treatment of Iraqi citizens," adding, "The American side is supposed to abide by its agreements with the Iraqi government."