Airstrike hits Iraqi military base housing pro-Iranian forces

An airstrike targeted an Iraqi military base in Babylon province, south of Baghdad, resulting in casualties among the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), also known as Hashed al-Shaabi. The incident, which occurred overnight, has been confirmed by two security sources and has left one PMF fighter dead and six others wounded. Additional reports from a nearby hospital in the city of Hilla confirm these casualties.

The PMF, which is a coalition of pro-Iranian armed groups, stated that the explosion caused “material damage and injuries.” The organization is currently investigating the details of the strike. Concurrently, the Ministry of Interior announced that the aerial bombing resulted in one fatality and eight injuries, while a military source mentioned that three Iraqi military personnel were also wounded.

Despite the severity of the attack, there have been no immediate claims of responsibility. This adds a layer of complexity to an already tense regional security environment. Shortly after the incident, the US military, through US Central Command (CENTCOM), clarified its position regarding the events, stating on social media platform X, “The United States has not conducted air strikes in Iraq today,” and labeled reports suggesting American involvement as “not true.”

This incident comes on the heels of heightened military activity in the region. Just a day earlier, Israel conducted an attack on Iranian territory, following a significant assault by Iran on Israel with drones and missiles. The ongoing exchange between Israel and Iran has not elicited substantial public commentary from officials on either side, with Iranian officials downplaying the significance of Friday’s attack.

This latest airstrike on the PMF base underscores the volatile and complex geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East, particularly involving the interactions between Iran-backed entities and other regional and international powers. The lack of immediate claim of responsibility for the airstrike suggests a strategic ambiguity that parties might be maintaining, possibly to avoid escalation or international scrutiny. Moreover, the US’s quick denial of involvement indicates a cautious approach to its military engagements in Iraq, especially considering the potential implications for broader regional stability.