ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Over two dozen fighters from the Iran-aligned Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) were killed in suspected US strikes on their bases in Iraq’s western Anbar province early Thursday, local sources report, as Iraqi security officials condemned the strikes as an “indiscriminate” attack and violation of the country’s sovereignty that has killed or injured “tens.”
The incident
The PMF’s 19th Brigade, also known as Ansar Allah al-Awfiya, had its bases in the Akashat area southwest of al-Qaim targeted early Thursday, PMF spokesperson Karim al-Kinani confirmed in a statement.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani stated on Thursday that he is "closely following" the aftermath of the "blatant attacks" on sites belonging to the PMF, which “resulted in the martyrdom of several of our heroic fighters while performing their sacred duties, within the scope of our security forces’ responsibilities.”
In a statement on X, the premier condemned the “systematic and repeated aggression, targeting sites and headquarters indiscriminately,” adding that it “is not just a military violation, but a desperate attempt to create confusion, undermine societal peace, and weaken the security gains secured through the blood and sacrifices of the Iraqi people and our martyrs.
“We affirm that the blood of our fighters is a trust upon us, and we will not allow Iraq to become a ground for settling scores or a stage for violating our national dignity,” the Iraqi Premier concluded.
Iraq's National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji also deplored what he said was “a cowardly terrorist attack on the Popular Mobilization Forces in al-Qaim, which resulted in the martyrdom and injury of dozens of our heroic security personnel.”
He added that “this targeting constitutes a blatant assault and a violation of sovereignty.”
Meanwhile, the Security Media Cell (SMC), an affiliate of the the Iraqi Joint Operations Command (JOC), which reports to the Iraqi prime minister, said it was “monitoring with deep concern” the “brutal and blatant attacks against the heroes of the Popular Mobilization Forces, while they perform their sacred national duties alongside their brothers in our security forces within the areas of responsibility.”
The SMC further added that these operations constitute “a clear aggression against our heroic security forces, who have adhered to the highest standards of professionalism and patriotism in protecting the land and honor, and in safeguarding the security achievements attained through the sacrifices of our units in all their branches.