Prominent Iraqi Analyst Assassinated in Baghdad
Daesh expert Hisham al-Hashemi was shot outside his home in Baghdad Monday and died shortly thereafter at a local hospital, an official from the Iraqi interior ministry said.
Hashemi was an authoritative voice on Sunni extremist factions including the Daesh group, but was also frequently consulted by media and foreign governments on domestic Iraqi politics.
Gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire on al-Hashimi, 47, outside his home in the Zeyouneh area of Baghdad, a family member said, speaking on condition of anonymity for security reasons. The family member heard five shots fired.
Security officials, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with regulations, said he was later pronounced dead at a hospital, AP reported.
Al-Hashimi was a well-connected security analyst who appeared regularly on Iraqi television and whose expertise was sought out by government officials, journalists, and researchers.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Hashimi's killing.
Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi issued a statement offering his condolences.
