Iraqi soldiers man a checkpoint in the capital Baghdad on January 28, 2022, following a rocket attack on the airport. (Photo by AFP)

Baghdad, January 31 (RHC)-- Iraqi intelligence forces have reportedly taken into custody the perpetrator of a recent rocket attack on the Baghdad International Airport compound, who confessed to his affiliation with the United States.  A security source told Baghdad Today news website that Akram al-Qaysi is currently being interrogated.

In a post on his Twitter account, Ahmad al-Mousavi, of the Fatah (Conquest) Alliance in the Iraqi Parliament, said Qaysi had admitted to his charge of targeting Baghdad airport “upon the orders of those who work for the benefit of the U.S.”

He revealed that orders have been issued by higher institutions in the country to cover up the issue since it reflects the extent of foreign interference in Iraq’s political crisis and attempts to spark sedition among the Iraqi people.

According to a statement released by the Iraqi military, six rockets struck Baghdad airport early on Friday, damaging two commercial planes but causing no casualties.  Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi described the incident as an "attempt to defame the country," vowing a "decisive" response to the "dangerous" attack.

Also on Saturday, Iraqi security sources said they had targeted a US spy drone that was flying over Saladin Province.  The drone had tried to enter the airspace of Samarra city to spy on a base belonging to the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) or Hashd al-Sha’abi, according to the Telegram channel of the Nujaba resistance movement.