BAGHDAD – A U.S. airstrike on the headquarters of an Iran-backed militia in central Baghdad on Thursday killed a high-ranking militia commander, militia officials said.
What led to the strike
It comes as growing regional tensions from the conflict in Gaza threaten to spread across borders, igniting a regional war in the Middle East.
The Popular Mobilisation Force (PMF) said its deputy head of operations in Baghdad Mushtaq Taleb al-Saidi was killed in the strike.
About The Popular Mobilisation Force (PMF)
The group is linked to Iraq’s armed forces, but the government in Baghdad has only limited control over its activities.
The American official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the strike targeted a leader of Harakat al Nujaba, a Shia militia that forms part of the PMF, without naming the individual.
Response from Iran
Iraq‘s foreign ministry condemned the attack.
‘Iraq reserves its right to take a firm stance and take all measures that deter anyone who tries to harm its land and security forces,’ it said.
Iraqi police sources and witnesses said a drone fired at least two rockets in eastern Baghdad at a facility used by the Iraqi militia group al-Nujaba.
The Iran-backed organization was designated a terrorist group in 2019 by the Trump administration.
