An aerial attack on a military base in Iraq’s western Anbar province has resulted in the deaths of seven fighters and injuries to 13 others, according to Iraq’s Ministry of Defence. The strikes on Wednesday targeted the military healthcare clinic at the base in Habbaniyah, with the ministry condemning the assault as “a heinous crime” that violated “all international laws and norms”.
An Iraqi police source informed Al Jazeera that the attack focused on positions of the Iraqi military’s Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), a paramilitary force incorporating some Iran-aligned brigades, which reportedly shares the base with members of Iraq’s regular army. Al Jazeera’s correspondent Assed Baig, reporting from Baghdad, indicated that this appears to be the first instance where the PMF has been struck alongside the broader Iraqi military, signaling a potential escalation.
The Iraqi government has denounced the attack, asserting that the country is being dragged into the United States-Israeli war on Iran. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s office stated that Baghdad would summon the Iranian and US ambassadors over the recent strikes. The Defence Ministry declared, “We reserve our full right to take all necessary measures to respond to this aggression within the established legal frameworks,” reaffirming a stance that grants the PMF a “right to respond” to any attacks against it.
Since the conflict began, pro-Iran armed groups have claimed responsibility for attacks on US interests in Iraq and across the region, while strikes have also targeted these groups, including at government-linked positions. The US Department of Defense has acknowledged that combat helicopters have carried out strikes against pro-Iran armed groups in Iraq during the current conflict, contributing to the volatile situation.
Baig emphasized that the latest strikes demonstrate “an escalation in terms of the PMF being targeted,” warning that Iraq is increasingly becoming a battlefield between Iraqi armed factions and the United States. This development raises concerns about further destabilization in the region, as retaliatory measures and ongoing tensions threaten to exacerbate the conflict.
Source: www.aljazeera.com