The United States military carried out airstrikes Tuesday targeting headquarters and a residence linked to Iraq’s Iran-backed Shiite militia, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), escalating ongoing strikes against Tehran-aligned groups in Iraq. In response, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani warned Baghdad reserves the right to confront and respond to these military attacks, citing violations of Iraqi sovereignty.
Details of the Airstrikes and Iraqi Government Response
The US strikes hit PMF bases, including a location in Anbar province reportedly targeted twice in 48 hours. The PMF confirmed at least 15 fatalities in one airstrike in Iraq’s Euphrates valley region. The residence of PMF leader Falih al-Fayadh in Mosul was also struck, though he was not present at the time. These operations follow a Pentagon statement that AH-64 helicopters have been proactively engaging Iranian-aligned militia groups to suppress threats to US personnel and interests in Iraq.
Prime Minister al-Sudani’s administration condemned the strikes as unjustified and a breach of Iraqi sovereignty. He stated that Iraq’s Council had resolved to “confront and respond to military attacks” against the PMF and other Iraqi armed forces “using available means,” affirming Iraq’s right to self-defense. Iraq’s foreign ministry planned to summon the US chargé d’affaires and the Iranian ambassador for consultations.
Militia Activity and Regional Tensions
The PMF, officially part of Iraq’s government forces, has been accused of launching attacks against the US embassy in Baghdad and American targets throughout the region, particularly following US-Israel strikes on Iranian facilities. The militia has also been linked to attacks on Kurdish forces and other regional security elements, contributing to heightened tensions between Baghdad, Washington, and Tehran.
An Iraqi Kurdish official expressed concern that the Iraqi government may confront the US militarily, a claim denied by an Iraqi embassy spokesperson in Washington who clarified the government’s stance is against militia elements that target Iraqi institutions and partners. Analysts note the blurred lines between the PMF and state institutions complicate Iraq’s position in the conflict.
President Joe Biden is scheduled to meet Prime Minister al-Sudani on April 15 amid ongoing instability in the Middle East, including intensified conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the Gaza war.
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