A general charged with ensuring security ahead of a visit by Iraq's prime minister was killed Tuesday (March 13th) in a shootout with militia fighters, AFP reported.
Special forces commander Sherif Ismail was heading back to Baghdad after preparing the ground for a trip planned for Wednesday by premier Haider al-Abbadi to Ninawa province.
"Clashes broke out with fighters from Saraya al-Salam," a group loyal to prominent Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, a security source said, after a verbal altercation spiralled out of control.
"The general was killed and three of his men were wounded," the source said.
The prime minister's office confirmed the death of Ismail and blamed "shots from undisciplined fighters", without naming a group.
Al-Abbadi has "ordered the immediate opening of an investigation", a statement said.
