The American killed in Karrada is a “red card” in the face of Al-Sudani: Beware of getting close to

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[size=52]The American killed in Karrada is a “red card” in the face of Al-Sudani: Beware of getting close to Washington[/size]

[size=45]Baghdad / Tamim Al-Hassan[/size]
[size=45]Preliminary investigations into the killing of an American activist in central Baghdad suggested that Iran was behind the incident, while the number of assassinations is expected to rise in the coming days.[/size]
[size=45]According to information obtained by Al-Mada, the incident is a "red card" against Prime Minister Mohamed Al-Sudani for his recent approach to Washington.[/size]
[size=45]Yesterday, the Prime Minister directed the formation of an investigative committee into the assassination of American citizen Stephen Troll in the center of the capital.[/size]
[size=45]According to a high-ranking politician familiar with the investigations, he spoke to Al-Mada, requesting anonymity, that "the United States will take part in the investigations, which disturbs the Shiite framework."[/size]
[size=45]The well-informed politician added, "Initial investigations suggest that what happened is not the work of the factions, but rather the work of the intelligence apparatus," noting that the party that claimed responsibility for the incident was "a cover and a fictitious name."[/size]
[size=45]He pointed out that "Iraq will be involved in the incident and was supposed to obtain preemptive information from the intelligence services and inform the US embassy of the possibility of liquidation operations against its citizens in order to exonerate itself."[/size]
[size=45]An armed faction calling itself "Saraya Ahl al-Kahf", announced yesterday its responsibility for the killing of the American citizen.[/size]
[size=45]The armed faction stated in a press release that the killing of the American citizen "Stephen Troll" came "in retaliation for the killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force, and Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis, deputy head of the Popular Mobilization Authority."[/size]
[size=45]“Saraya al-Kahf” and “International Resistance” are names for unknown groups, while it is expected that they are “a cover for armed factions or international bodies.”[/size]
[size=45]According to the politician close to the investigations, "The attack was carried out by Tehran, while it is still unknown whether the assassination cell came from Iran or was originally inside the country."[/size]
[size=45]The Security Media Cell said in a statement yesterday, "The Prime Minister, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Muhammad Shiaa al-Sudani, directed Interior Minister Abdul Amir al-Shammari to form an investigative committee from the ministry's specialized agencies and other security agencies to investigate the circumstances of the killing of an American citizen in the capital, Baghdad."[/size]
[size=45]According to information circulated since Monday night, gunmen in a car fired at a civilian "Prado" vehicle in the Karrada area.[/size]
[size=45]This information indicated that the American citizen works as a member of an American relief organization for the benefit of the US Agency for International Development, while an ID was found with him as an English teacher.[/size]
[size=45]The well-informed politician says that "the factions implement in another way, which is kidnapping and ransom demand, and if they do not get the ransom, they carry out liquidation."[/size]
[size=45]But Troll (the victim) was directly killed by a bullet in the head, according to a security report seen by the source.[/size]
[size=45]The source close to the discussions of the political forces confirmed that "the factions that call themselves resistance have granted a truce with the security forces to support the Sudanese government."[/size]
[size=45]And he continues: "Tehran did not like these positions, as it seems that it was angry at the recent approach between the Sudanese and the United States."[/size]
[size=45]He pointed out that Iran "has given a warning to Al-Sudani that it is in control of the Iraqi land, and that the country is a stage for it to carry out attacks against America or others it describes as enemies."[/size]
[size=45]The informed source expected that the frequency of assassinations against foreigners would rise and might target Iraqis collaborating with Western parties, noting that "the Katyushas have now been abandoned and assassinations will be the next alternative."[/size]
[size=45]The US ambassador in Baghdad, Alina Romanowski, had visited Al-Sudani 3 times since his nomination to head the government last month.[/size]
[size=45]On the other hand, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken recently contacted Al-Sudani, and on Monday confirmed commitment to the "strategic framework agreement" signed by both sides.[/size]
[size=45]Sources indicated that Al-Sudani is trying from these meetings to reform the image of the Shiite factions and pledge to stop targeting embassies.[/size]
[size=45]In turn, Mithal Al-Alusi, a former MP, confirmed that the assassination of American Stephen Troll "is not by chance, but rather is a planned goal."[/size]
[size=45]Al-Alusi continued, in an interview with Al-Mada, that "what happened is due to the dissatisfaction of some parties in the coordination framework and Iran over Sudan's rapprochement with the United States."[/size]
[size=45]He added, "The new government listened to Washington and kept the militias away from running intelligence and sensitive security sites."[/size]
[size=45]Al-Sudani had announced a few days ago that he would run the intelligence service after severe disputes over the position, which became vacant due to the dismissal of Raed Gouhi, the former head of the intelligence service.[/size]
[size=45]The former deputy and leader of the Umma Party considered that "the assassination of an American citizen at this time is a message to the Sudanese that he has red lines that should not be crossed, and it is the job of Iran's militias."[/size]
[size=45]Meanwhile, Ali al-Baydar, a researcher in security and political affairs, suggested that "Washington will respond" to the assassination.[/size]
[size=45]Al-Baydar said in an interview with Al-Mada that "the incident confirms that the security forces are not in control of the situation in Baghdad and that other parties are imposing their control."[/size]
[size=45]Al-Baydar ruled out that the assassination was an event related to domestic politics, noting that "the incident is within the framework of international and regional confrontation."[/size]
[size=45]The researcher added that «the United States will not stand idly by and will respond, whether in the depth of Iraq or outside it».[/size]
[size=45]The researcher pointed out that the incident "will affect Iraq and the US and international support, especially in the field of security support."[/size]
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