The Iraqi military has taken complete control of Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone, according to Iraqi media reports. The move escalates a security closure that began hours earlier Sunday.
Early Sunday morning, Iraqi military forces fully secured the Green Zone in Baghdad, according to Iraqi media reports – the most dramatic security escalation in the fortified district since the closure of its gates hours earlier. The development follows an order by the Iraqi Prime Minister around 02:57 Jerusalem to deploy tanks and artillery at the zone's gates, after an initial unexplained closure of the gates at 02:32 Jerusalem. The reason for the security measures has not been disclosed.
As The Zioneer reported at 02:32, authorities had first closed the Green Zone gates without explanation. Within 25 minutes, the Prime Minister ordered armor to the gates, and now the military has declared the entire zone secured. The background remains opaque: the Green Zone houses government buildings, embassies, and is a frequent flashpoint for Iranian-backed militia activity.
2 developments
- StrongIraqi PM orders tanks, artillery deployed to Baghdad Green Zone gates — update: heavy armor now in position
- DevelopingGunfire reported near Baghdad's Green Zone
- StrongIraqi counter-terror forces press raids in Baghdad Green Zone, near US embassy complex
- StrongReports: Iraqi forces deploy in Baghdad amid fears of pro-Iran militia attacks on Saudi targets
Source and signal
- Open-source intake