Anbar: Three fighters from Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) were killed and several others wounded in an attack targeting a command headquarters in western Iraq, as reported by the group on Wednesday. The strike specifically targeted the headquarters of the Anbar Operations Command commander and the 2nd Regiment of the 45th Brigade in Anbar province.
According to Anadolu Agency, an explosion was also reported at a PMF facility in Kirkuk province. As of now, there is no immediate information available regarding casualties or the cause of the blast in Kirkuk. Iraqi authorities have not yet issued a statement on either of the attacks, leaving many questions unanswered.
The PMF, also known as the Hashd al-Shaabi, was initially formed on June 14, 2014, as a volunteer force to support Iraqi security forces against the ISIS (Daesh) terror group. It was officially incorporated into the armed forces by a government decree in July 2016, reflecting its ongoing role in national defense.
These attacks occur amid heightened tensions in the region, as the US and Israel have been conducting a joint offensive against Iran since February 28. This offensive has reportedly resulted in approximately 1,300 fatalities, including that of then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. In response, Iran has launched drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf nations hosting US military assets, leading to casualties, infrastructure damage, and disruptions in global markets and aviation.