Iraq has condemned a “blatant aggression” by coalition forces after US strikes in Iraq killed several members of the Iranian-allied militia which works alongside government forces.
Fighter jets for the anti-Islamic State coalition which came from beyond Iraq’s borders targeted Iraqi security force sites in Babil province, Iraqi military spokesman Yehia Rasool said in a statement on Wednesday.
The attack late Tuesday killed several members of the security forces from the Popular Mobilization Forces and injured others, he said.
Also known as Hashd Shaabi, the Popular Mobilization Forces is a powerful paramilitary group which works with security forces and had a vital role in the fight against Islamic State in the country.
Islamis State was defeated in Iraq in late 2017, but cells are still active in Syria and Iraq.
“Such serious and uncalculated transgressions” can significantly undermine efforts and joint security work to combat Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, Rasool said.
“They also risk dragging Iraq and the entire region into dangerous conflicts and wars. Therefore, we hold the coalition forces fully responsible for these consequences following this flagrant aggression,” he added.
He said that Iraq will take the appropriate legal and diplomatic measures to protect its rights, ensure its security and sovereignty.
The Hashd Shaabi said on Wednesday that four of its members had been killed in three US airstrikes that targeted one of their headquarters in Babil province, south of the capital Baghdad.
Since last year, Iraq has repeatedly condemned US strikes targeting Iranian-allied militias on its territory. The militias have targeted US military bases in Syria and Iraq as a response to the Israeli war in Gaza.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group for pro-Iranian militias in the country operating together since the war in Gaza broke out on October 7, claims responsibility for these attacks.
