Iraqi PM launches investigation after brutal sectarian killing in Samarra

Iraqi authorities are under increasing pressure to investigate a brutal killing that has sparked public outrage and raised concerns over security and sectarian tensions in the country.

In a tragic incident, the body of 24-year-old Sunni man Ziad Tariq Khawaf was discovered by police on Friday in Samarra, located in the Salahuddin Governorate, about 120 km north of Baghdad. The victim had been abducted three days before the discovery of his body.

His father told local media outlets that Khawaf went missing on 7 April between a government checkpoint and a checkpoint controlled by the Saraya Al-Salam militia, affiliated with Shia cleric Moqtada Al-Sadr. The father also said that the son's body showed signs of torture, including severe burns, gunshot wounds, and mutilation, with his nose and ears severed and his face burned by a corrosive substance (likely acid).

The murder has sparked public outrage, with local leaders accusing both security forces and the government of failing to prevent such crimes and hold the perpetrators accountable.

Sheikh Ali al-Jubouri, a prominent tribal leader from Salahuddin, told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, The New Arab's Arabic language sister publication, "Samarra is facing severe security instability, with multiple abduction cases reported recently. The police must investigate these incidents, as they suggest the involvement of specific groups. These cannot be isolated occurrences, and the authorities, including the Salahuddin local government, must take responsibility."

Human rights organisations, including the Al-Rafidain International Centre for Justice and Human Rights, condemned the murder as a "heinous criminal act" and part of a broader pattern of violence against young Iraqis. They are calling for an "immediate and transparent investigation."

The Samarra Police Directorate has denied allegations of widespread abductions and confirmed that a special task force has been established by both Samarra and Salahuddin police to investigate Khawaf's death.

Investigation committee established

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, also Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, directed the formation of an investigative committee to probe the incident. The committee, led by the Joint Operations Command, will gather evidence and report the findings to the Prime Minister.

Though Samarra is famous for its Shia holy sites, including the tombs of several Shia Imams Ali al-Hadi and his son Hassan al-Askari, the town was traditionally and until very recently dominated by Sunni Arabs.

Prominent Iraqi Sunni leader Mashan Al-Jiburi has called on Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr to establish a joint investigation committee with Iraq's Ministry of Interior to investigate Khawaf's brutal killing. Al-Jiburi addressed al-Sadr via the X social media platform, urging him to intervene, stating, "We ask for your humanitarian intervention on behalf of a family that lost their son without reason, and on behalf of all those who still carry the pain of injustice and the loss of innocent lives." 

He described how Khawaf, a simple car mechanic from Samarra, was last seen on 7 April, disappearing between a checkpoint controlled by federal police and another by al-Sadr's Saraya Al-Salam militia. His body was found on 11 April, burned and disfigured, after being tortured and killed.

Al-Jiburi emphasised that neither Khawaf nor his family were involved in extremist groups or had enemies, asserting the victim was simply caught in a conflict between rival security forces. He urged al-Sadr to support the formation of a neutral investigation committee with the Interior Ministry, advocating for transparency by using surveillance footage from Saraya Al-Salam checkpoints.

Al-Jiburi also raised concerns about Samarra's fragmented security situation, calling for a unified security authority to ensure accountability and prevent further violence. He urged al-Sadr to ensure justice for Khawaf, emphasising that no one should be above the law.

The investigation into Khawaf's death has further fuelled concerns about security and sectarian tensions in the region, with local calls for justice continuing to grow.

Sectarian rhetoric amid upcoming elections

With Iraq's elections approaching in November, political parties and armed groups have increasingly used sectarian rhetoric, raising concerns about national unity. A controversial statement by Ali Turki, a member of the Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq militia, calling for Samarra to be transformed into a "Shia city," has sparked fears of demographic changes and forced displacement of Samarra's Sunni Arab population.

Despite public backlash, Turki has reiterated his position, asserting, "We will protect Samarra and rebuild it." His remarks reflect a broader trend of sectarian rhetoric used by pro-Iran militias, further fuelling instability.

The recent death of engineer Bashir Khalid has intensified the debate on police brutality in Iraq. Khalid, a resident of eastern Baghdad, was allegedly beaten and tortured by police and inmates while in custody. 

This incident adds to the growing concerns about impunity and the lack of accountability for security forces in Iraq, amid rising fears over the impact of sectarian rhetoric on the country's social cohesion and security.