Iraqi sources have reported that the pro-Iran militia Kataib Hezbollah is the main suspect in the attack on the National Intelligence Service headquarters in Baghdad , as calls for decisive action increase following the deadly incident.
Iraqi authorities are still investigating the attack on the National Intelligence Service headquarters in central Baghdad.
The attack happened around 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, claiming the life of an intelligence officer and crippling the agency’s communications network, the service reported.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani visited the site on Sunday and received a briefing from the agency’s chief and senior officials, according to a government statement. He called for a thorough investigation to identify those responsible for what he described as a "shameful terrorist act".
Sudani condemned the attackers as a "cowardly group" striking at the heart of state institutions and endangering Iraqi lives. He pledged a firm government response, vowing zero tolerance for crimes against the nation.
A security official in Baghdad told The New Arab’s sister site Al-Araby Al-Jadeed , , that a joint committee, including the intelligence services, the interior ministry, and the pro-Iran Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) militia coalition security, is working to identify those responsible for the attack.
The official revealed that the drone used in the assault closely resembled those deployed in earlier strikes on the US embassy and Camp Victory near Baghdad International Airport. Kataeb Hezbollah remains the chief suspect, with other names tied to similar attacks likely serving as aliases for the same group.
The official said that the investigation’s success hinges on whether Shia political factions muster the political will to rein in armed groups and halt Iraq’s slide toward further instability.
Government military spokesman Sabah al-Numan stated that investigations into attacks on diplomatic missions are ongoing, but declined to provide details, citing the need for confidentiality during the investigation.
He noted that Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council has classified these attacks under the anti-terrorism law, making them terrorist offences that harm Iraq’s international standing and risk isolating the country.
The Iraqi National Intelligence Service described the attack as a terrorist act by outlaw groups attempting to deter the agency from its duties. The agency stated that the strike would only strengthen its resolve to pursue and prosecute those responsible.
Former prime minister and ex-intelligence chief Mustafa al-Kadhimi wrote in a post on the X social media platform that repeated attacks on security and military headquarters require immediate and decisive action, not just condemnation.
He emphasised that protecting Iraq's security and military personnel is an urgent responsibility that must not be delayed or politicised.