A recent airstrike in western Iraq has resulted in the deaths of a commander and several fighters from the former paramilitary coalition known as Hashed al-Shaabi, according to a source within the group. The bombing, reported to have occurred during a commanders’ meeting at a military base in Anbar province, has been attributed to the United States, as stated by the anonymous source who spoke to AFP.
The attack reportedly killed seven Hashed al-Shaabi fighters and injured 13 others. The group, also referred to as the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), is integrated into Iraq’s regular armed forces and includes several brigades aligned with Iran.
In a statement, the PMF expressed condemnation of the airstrike, noting that it resulted in the death of the provincial commander and head of operations in Anbar, Saad Dawai al-Baiji, along with additional fighters. The organization did not provide further specifics regarding the incident.
A security official confirmed that those who were wounded in the strike were receiving medical treatment at a local hospital. This attack occurs against a backdrop of rising tensions in the region, as Iraq grapples with the ramifications of increased hostility following military actions involving Israel and the United States targeting Iran earlier this year.
Pro-Iran armed groups have been implicated in a series of attacks against U.S. interests in Iraq and throughout the Middle East. In response to these escalating hostilities, Iraq’s government has repeatedly condemned assaults on the Hashed al-Shaabi.
Significantly, the Pentagon acknowledged for the first time last week that combat helicopters had conducted strikes against pro-Iran factions in Iraq amidst the ongoing conflict, marking a notable escalation in military engagement in the region.
