ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani on Sunday vowed to punish a “cowardly group” behind a deadly attack on the Iraqi National Intelligence Service (INIS) headquarters in Baghdad, saying the government will not stand idle in the face of violations against state institutions.

Sudani, who also serves as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, made the remarks during a visit to the INIS headquarters in the capital, where he was briefed on the details of the attack that occurred a day earlier and killed one service member.

“Those who committed this crime are a cowardly group that violated Iraqi blood and transgressed against state institutions,” Sudani said, as cited by his office. 

He ordered authorities within the intelligence service, in coordination with other security agencies, to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident, disclose its findings, and publicly identify those responsible.

“The government acts with wisdom and responsibility,” Sudani stated, “but it will not stand idle in the face of the violation of Iraqi blood or encroachment on the country’s national interests.”

He also called on political forces to take a clear stance against attacks targeting state institutions, warning that such actions threaten Iraq’s future.

The visit comes amid ongoing security tensions in Iraq, with repeated attacks targeting military and government facilities in recent weeks.

Iraqi authorities and political factions widely condemned the drone strike on the INIS headquarters in Baghdad, which killed an intelligence officer. The intelligence service described the attack as a “terrorist act” carried out by “outlaw elements,” vowing to pursue those responsible.