US condemns killing of Iraqi expert Husham Al Hashimi

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called for the government of Iraq to bring the perpetrators 'swiftly to justice'

Iraqi extremism expert Husham Al Hashimi was shot dead outside his home in Baghdad on Monday night. AFP

Security forces stand guard at the scene of Husham Al Hashimi's assassination in the Zeyouneh area of Baghdad. AP

Iraqi police officers investigate the scene outside Husham Al Hashimi's house after he was shot dead in Baghdad on Monday following threats from Iran-backed militias. AP

Iraqis carry the coffin of Iraqi terrorism expert Husham Al Hashimi, who was assassinated by an unknown armed group outside his house. EPA

Mourners carry Husham Al Hishami's coffin during the funeral in Baghdad, Iraq. Reuters

Al Hashimi, a leading expert on ISIS and other armed groups, was shot dead in Baghdad on Monday evening after receiving threats from Iran-backed militias, Iraqi security officials said. EPA

Mourners pray over the coffin of slain Iraqi extremism expert Husham Al Hashemi, who was shot dead yesterday outside his house in the Iraqi capital. AFP

Al Hashimi was an authoritative voice on militant factions, including ISIS, but was also frequently consulted by media and foreign governments on domestic Iraqi politics and armed groups. Reuters

A mourner cries during the funeral. Al Hashimi had warm ties with top decision-makers, including President Barham Saleh, but was also trusted by rival parties and armed groups, which used him as a mediator. AFP

A relative reacts during the funeral of former government adviser and political analyst Husham Al Hashimi, who was killed by gunmen, in Baghdad. Reuters

Mourners embrace during the funeral of slain Iraqi extremism expert Husham Al Hashimi, who was shot dead on Monday outside his house in the Iraqi capital. AFP

An Iraqi federal policeman stands guard while mourners carry the flag-draped coffin of Husham Al Hashimi during his funeral in the Zeyouneh area of Baghdad. AP

A general view shows the spot where Iraqi extremism expert Husham Al Hashimi was shot dead yesterday outside his house in the Iraqi capital Baghdad’s Zeyouneh district. AFP

The US on Wednesday condemned the assassination of Iraqi academic Husham Al Hashimi and called on the government to bring his killers to justice.

Al Hashimi, who advised the government on security matters, was shot dead by two men at his house in Baghdad on Monday.

“Iraq tragically lost a patriot, prominent scholar and journalist, Husham Al Hashimi, who devoted his life to a free and sovereign Iraq and gave voice to the aspirations of the Iraqi people,” US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said during a press conference.

A peaceful protest was held on Tuesday evening in Baghdad's Tahrir Square to honour Al Hashimi as Iraqis and international colleagues mourned his loss.

Protesters held signs which read: "They assassinated the voice of truth with a fake bullet", and on social media videos circulated of TukTuk drivers sounding their horns outside his home in a show of solidarity and support.

The killing triggered fears that Iraq could enter a violent phase, as tensions between pro-Iranian factions and the government of Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi increase.

In the days leading up to the assassination, Al Hashimi was repeatedly threatened by Iran-backed armed groups, Mr Pompeo said. He called on the government of Iraq to “bring to justice the perpetrators of this terrible crime and bring them swiftly to justice.”

The US embassy in Baghdad said in a Facebook post that it was "deeply shocked and saddened by the cowardly murder" and offered "deepest condolences to his family and to the people of Iraq for the tragic loss of this Iraqi national treasure".

Al Hashimi’s killing sparked widespread outrage. The UN, foreign governments and Iraqi leaders have all condemned his assassination and urged the prime minister to find those responsible and hold them to account.

Al Hashimi, 47, was known for his expertise on Al Qaeda, ISIS and other armed groups in Iraq.

He wrote about terrorist groups, including three books, and advised Iraqi governments past and present.

Al Hashimi had been working closely with the new prime minister and was a member of the Iraq Advisory Council – a panel of experts and former policymakers.

Government officials described his death as a “targeted killing” but did not blame any group.

"We vow to his killers that we will pursue them so they are justly punished," the prime minister's office said.