A recent airstrike on a military base in Iraq, operated by the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), has resulted in the death of one person and injuries to 20 others. The base, which houses Iraqi military and police, as well as fighters from the PMF, was hit by three drones that struck the main entrance and an office building. The PMF reported that explosions occurred in equipment warehouses and ongoing search operations are underway for the injured.
The perpetrator of the attack, which took place on Friday night one day after Israeli bombing of Iran, remains unknown. While militia sources attributed the bombing to the United States, both Washington and the international coalition led by the United States denied involvement in the attack. Israeli sources also denied their participation in the attack and expressed readiness to respond to whoever is behind it.
In recent months, US forces have targeted PMF militia headquarters such as Al Nuba and Kataib Hizbul, part of a pro-Iranian militia group known as Islamic Resistance in Iraq. These groups have carried out numerous attacks against US troops in country. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq is part of Axis of Resistance, a group of Middle Eastern political parties and militias influenced by Iran. These organizations have targeted Israel and its ally US in response to Israeli offensives in Gaza.
This incident takes place amidst regional tensions including Iran’s direct attack on Israeli soil and uncertainty over a potential Israeli ground offensive in Gaza. This adds to broader context of escalating conflicts in region which highlight complex dynamics between various armed groups and international actors involved ongoing conflicts