A deadly airstrike hit a military base operated by the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) 40 kilometers south of Baghdad, resulting in one death and 20 injuries. The PMF, a pro-Iran paramilitary structure, reported that three drones targeted the main entrance and one of their offices at the base. The facility hosts Iraqi military, police, and PMF fighters, recognized as a formal security force by the Iraqi authorities.
The attack occurred just days after Israeli bombings in Iran and remains without a confirmed perpetrator. While militia sources attributed it to the United States, both Washington and the international coalition denied involvement. The US Central Command and Israeli sources refuted claims of responsibility, expressing intentions to support their Iraqi partners and condemning the attack.
The PMF militias, including Al Nuba and Kataib Hizbul, have been targeted by the United States in recent months due to their ties with pro-Iranian Islamic Resistance in Iraq. These militias have carried out numerous attacks against US troops in the region as part of their efforts to defend Iran’s interests and demand an end to Israeli offensives in Gaza.
The Islamic Resistance operates within the Axis of Resistance, influenced by Iran, and has conducted actions against Israel and the US to further its goals. The ongoing attacks by paramilitary forces in Iraq pose challenges for the Baghdad government as it tries to maintain diplomatic ties with both Washington and Tehran while condemning attacks on US bases.
Amid negotiations for foreign troop withdrawal from Iraq, tensions in the region continue to escalate due to heightened regional tensions following Iran’s direct attack on Israel. Additionally, there are concerns about a potential Israeli ground offensive in Rafah south of Gaza where displaced Gazans seek refuge from conflict.
As such, dialogue is crucial to prevent further violence and instability in the region as tensions between major powers remain high amidst ongoing conflicts across multiple fronts.
