Gunmen shoot dead prominent Iraqi analyst and advisor - officials

Gunmen in Baghdad killed a well-known former government advisor and political analyst near his home on Monday, government officials, police sources and medics said. The government officials described the killing of Hisham al-Hashemi, who had written about politics, Islamic State and the role of Iran-backed militias in Iraq as a targeted killing but did not point the finger at any particular group.

Gunmen in Baghdad killed a well-known former government advisor and political analyst near his home on Monday, government officials, police sources and medics said.

The government officials described the killing of Hisham al-Hashemi, who had written about politics, Islamic State and the role of Iran-backed militias in Iraq as a targeted killing but did not point the finger at any particular group. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Hashemi's killing.

Police sources said two gunmen on a motorbike shot him outside his house in the Zayouna district in eastern Baghdad. Hashemi, who was well-connected with politicians, activists and paramilitary officials, worked as an advisor to former prime minister Haider al-Abadi and informally with the government of current Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, a government official said.