Hashd “anti-Baath” raids lead to pro-Tishreen backlash

On September 8, the Popular Mobilisation Commission (PMC) issued a statement claiming that it had thwarted a Baath Party plot to disrupt the Arbaeen commemorations in Karbala and attempts to carry out future attacks across southern Iraq. The PMC said that its forces had conducted midnight raids to arrest alleged Baath Party members in the provinces of Karbala, Babil, Muthanna and Diwaniya. At least four people were arrested in Diwaniya, one of whom eventually died, leading to public outrage among pro-Tishreen activists and politicians.