Husham Al Hashimi: prominent Iraqi security analyst gunned down

Prominent Iraqi security expert Husham Al Hashimi was shot dead on Monday night by unknown gunmen outside his house in Baghdad.

Interior Ministry sources said Al Hashimi was taken to hospital where he died shortly after the shooting.

A medical source at the hospital said he suffered "bullet wounds in several body parts".

Videos that appeared to depict the attack on Al Hashimi, 47, showed several figures on motorbikes pulling up near his hose and waiting for him to return. A few moments later the car reportedly carrying Al Hashimi pulls into the driveway, a man runs over and opens fire from around a metre away from the vehicle before fleeing on a moped with the other men.

Iraqi extremism expert Husham Al Hashimi was shot dead outside his home in Baghdad on Monday night. AFP

Security forces stand guard at the scene of Husham Al Hashimi's assassination in the Zeyouneh area of Baghdad. AP

Iraqi police officers investigate the scene outside Husham Al Hashimi's house after he was shot dead in Baghdad on Monday following threats from Iran-backed militias. AP

Iraqis carry the coffin of Iraqi terrorism expert Husham Al Hashimi, who was assassinated by an unknown armed group outside his house. EPA

Mourners carry Husham Al Hishami's coffin during the funeral in Baghdad, Iraq. Reuters

Al Hashimi, a leading expert on ISIS and other armed groups, was shot dead in Baghdad on Monday evening after receiving threats from Iran-backed militias, Iraqi security officials said. EPA

Mourners pray over the coffin of slain Iraqi extremism expert Husham Al Hashemi, who was shot dead yesterday outside his house in the Iraqi capital. AFP

Al Hashimi was an authoritative voice on militant factions, including ISIS, but was also frequently consulted by media and foreign governments on domestic Iraqi politics and armed groups. Reuters

A mourner cries during the funeral. Al Hashimi had warm ties with top decision-makers, including President Barham Saleh, but was also trusted by rival parties and armed groups, which used him as a mediator. AFP

A relative reacts during the funeral of former government adviser and political analyst Husham Al Hashimi, who was killed by gunmen, in Baghdad. Reuters

Mourners embrace during the funeral of slain Iraqi extremism expert Husham Al Hashimi, who was shot dead on Monday outside his house in the Iraqi capital. AFP

An Iraqi federal policeman stands guard while mourners carry the flag-draped coffin of Husham Al Hashimi during his funeral in the Zeyouneh area of Baghdad. AP

A general view shows the spot where Iraqi extremism expert Husham Al Hashimi was shot dead yesterday outside his house in the Iraqi capital Baghdad’s Zeyouneh district. AFP

Born in Baghdad in 1973, he was a well-respected security analyst who wrote extensively about ISIS and Al Qaeda, including three books, and advised the current and past governments on terrorism and extremist groups.

He was strongly in favour of the popular protests that erupted across Baghdad and Iraq's Shiite-majority south in October, which slammed the government as corrupt, inefficient and beholden to neighbouring Iran.

Al Hashimi had been working closely with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi and was a member of the Iraq Advisory Council, a panel of prominent experts and former policymakers.

Mr Al Kadhimi vowed to hold the perpetrators to account.

“We vow to search and punish the killers, we will not allow assassination to return to Iraq,” he said on Twitter.

Iraqi President Barham Salih backed the prime minister's statement.

“The least we can do [is to] expose these criminals and bring justice to ensure that security and peace prevails for our country,” Mr Salih said on Twitter.Al Hashimi was popular on Twitter with 147,000 followers. Less than an hour before the news of his death emerged, Al Hashimi commented on the social media platform on the divisions forming in Iraqi politics since Mr Al Kadhimi took office in May.

Many of his followers expressed their condolences and shock, reacting to his final message.

While more than 500 were killed in mass protests that erupted late last year, high-profile political killings have been rare recently.

"Cowards killed my friend and one of the brightest researchers in Iraq, Husham Al Hashimi. I am shocked," wrote Harith Hasan, who was a researcher before becoming an adviser to Mr Al Kadhimi.

Martin Huth, the EU ambassador to Iraq, also mourned Al Hashimi’s death.

“Together with his family and friends, we mourn the death of Dr Husham Al Hashimi," Mr Huth said.

"The perpetrators of this heinous crime must be brought to justice."

The British ambassador to Iraq, Stephen Hickey, condemned the killing.

“Devastated and deeply saddened by the news of the killing of Husham Al Hashimi," Mr Hickey said on Twitter.

"Iraq has lost one of its very best – a thoughtful and brave man. These attacks cannot continue.

“The government, supported by the international community, must hold the perpetrators to account."

The UN's top official in Iraq, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, said she was shocked by the assassination.

“We strongly condemn this despicable act of cowardice," Ms Hennis-Plasschaert said.

"Our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. I call on the government to quickly identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice." – Additional reporting by AFP