ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – A department belonging to the agricultural ministry came under an armed attack on Sunday, with security forces arresting at least 14 suspects for the incident, who were found to be members of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF).

An armed group on Sunday stormed an agricultural ministry's department in Baghdad upon the appointment of a new manager for the department, said the Iraqi Ministry of Interior in a statement.

“Forces from the Federal Police and Karkh Rescue Patrols rushed to the scene and were directly targeted by the gunmen, resulting in the injury of several officers and personnel,” the statement read, vowing not to tolerate "any violation of state institutions or threats to the rule of law."

Security forces were able to arrest 14 individuals implicated in the attack, who were found to belong to "the 45th and 46th brigades of the Popular Mobilization Forces" after their identities were checked, according to a statement by the Joint Operations Command, adding that Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani had ordered the formation of a "high-level" committee to investigate the incident.

At least one member of the police forces was killed during the firefight, according to the Federal Police Forces Command.

The PMF later on Sunday reaffirmed that it "will have absolutely no tolerance for any individual who exceeds orders or violates established security procedures" in light of the attack, adding that their forces exist "to serve as a shield for the nation and an extension of official security institutions."

During a meeting with top security officials regarding the clash, Sudani "emphasized that the perpetrators must be held accountable in accordance with applicable laws, and that the investigation must be conducted with high professionalism... and under his direct supervision," according to a statement from his office.

The PMF, or Hashd al-Shaabi, was formed upon a call by Iraq’s top Shiite authority Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani soon after the Islamic State (ISIS) took over large swathes of territory in Iraq. The force has been officially incorporated into the Iraqi armed forces, enjoying similar privileges as the Iraqi army.

The PMF have long faced criticism for their links to Iran and allegations that the Iraqi governments control over the group is tenuous.

A bill that is set to formalize the PMF's position in Iraq's official security apparatus gave rise to heavy backlash from the US, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressing Washington’s concerns with the bill during a call with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani last week, telling the premier that “any such legislation would institutionalize Iranian influence and armed terrorist groups undermining Iraq’s sovereignty.”

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