A deadly airstrike in western Iraq has killed a commander and several fighters from a local armed group, the former paramilitary Hashed al‑Shaabi said. The incident occurred on Tuesday during a commanders’ meeting at a base in Anbar province, officials told AFP.
The Hashed al‑Shaabi, also known as the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), is part of Iraq’s regular armed forces. Some brigades in the group are linked to Iran‑backed factions, authorities noted.
A source from the armed group said seven fighters were killed and 13 wounded in what he described as a US strike. The bombing hit the base shortly after takeoff of an aircraft at the site, he added.
The Hashed al‑Shaabi issued a statement condemning the attack. It confirmed the death of the provincial commander and head of operations in Anbar, Saad Dawai al‑Baiji, along with several other fighters. No further details were immediately released.
A security official told AFP that many of the wounded were taken to a hospital for treatment. Emergency crews worked at the scene to assist survivors and secure the area.
The strike reflects rising regional tensions amid the broader conflict triggered by Israel and the United States striking targets in Iran since late February. Baghdad has repeatedly condemned attacks on the Hashed al‑Shaabi and other pro‑Iran groups, saying such incidents pull Iraq into a wider war.
Pro‑Iran armed groups already claimed responsibility for several recent attacks on US interests in Iraq and across the wider region, military sources said. In turn, strikes have targeted these militias, raising fears of further escalation.
The latest blow to the Hashed al‑Shaabi has drawn sharp criticism from political figures in Baghdad. Officials are urging restraint and calling for a clear investigation into the cause of the strike. Despite the claims, no independent confirmation has yet been made about who carried out the attack.
The incident adds to a worrying trend of violence in Iraq, where armed groups and security forces have struggled to contain instability in recent months.
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