Iraqi armed group says commander, fighters killed in strike

A strike in western Iraq on Tuesday killed a commander and several fighters from the former paramilitary coalition Hashed al-Shaabi, the group said.

The attack targeted a base in Anbar province during a commanders’ meeting, a source from the group told AFP on condition of anonymity, blaming the United States.

Seven Hashed al-Shaabi fighters were “killed and 13 wounded in a US strike," the source added.

Hashed al-Shaabi, also known as the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), forms part of Iraq’s regular armed forces but includes brigades linked to Iran-backed groups.

In a statement, the PMF condemned the strike, saying it killed the provincial commander and head of operations in Anbar, Saad Dawai al-Baiji, along with several fighters, though it gave no further details.

A security official told AFP that the injured were receiving treatment in hospital.

Iraq has been unwillingly drawn into the conflict triggered by Israel and the United States striking Iran on 28 February.

Pro-Iran armed groups have claimed responsibility for attacks on US interests in Iraq and across the region, while counter-strikes have also targeted these groups.

Since the start of the conflict, Baghdad has repeatedly condemned attacks on Hashed al-Shaabi.

Last week, the Pentagon acknowledged for the first time that combat helicopters had carried out strikes against pro-Iran armed groups in Iraq during the latest escalation.