Iraq security officers wanted over deadly clashes that killed 20 relatives

An order to arrest multiple security personnel in Iraq was issued on Sunday following clashes earlier this week, which killed several people from the same family.

Arrest warrants were issued for 12 members of security forces allegedly behind a raid which led to the deaths of at least 20 people on Thursday in the Babil governorate, being dubbed the "Jableh massacre" in Iraq.

Other individuals charged in relation to the crime were already arrested.

Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi had ordered an inquiry into the killings and for all those involved to be apprehended.

Police chief of the Babil governorate, south of the capital Baghdad, was dismissed at the order of the country’s interior minister following the deadly incident.

Babil Governor Hassan Mandeel Al-Sariawi confirmed to local media that the crime was not terror related.

It was reported that at around 3 pm local time (12 pm GMT), a large security force surrounded a house belonging to Rahim al-Ghuriri.

Clashes soon erupted between al-Ghuriri and the security forces and lasted for four hours, killing the latter, his wife, six of his sons and daughters, his daughter-in-law, and a number of his grandchildren.

Rocket-propelled grenades and heavy firearms were allegedly used in the clash.

The reason behind the raid and who al-Ghuriri was remains unclear, with some reports claiming it to be personal, family dispute which escalated dramatically.