Baghdad, July 29: The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) of Iraq have reported that 20 of their fighters were killed in airstrikes conducted by the United States and Saudi Arabia, with 32 others injured.
According to the PMF, these figures are preliminary and may rise as assessments continue on the ground. The state-supported coalition, primarily composed of Shia militia groups, stated that the strikes targeted their positions in Baghdad, Wasit, Nineveh, Basra, Kirkuk, Karbala, and Diyala provinces.
The PMF also noted that the airstrikes caused varying levels of damage to buildings, vehicles, and military equipment.
In response to the US-Saudi airstrikes, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi convened a meeting of the National Security Council. The emergency session was called following the alleged overnight airstrikes on Wednesday.
The Prime Minister’s office indicated that a detailed statement regarding the developments and decisions made during the meeting will be released afterward.
This meeting was prompted by the PMF’s claim of the casualties resulting from the airstrikes, which have raised significant concerns regarding security in the region.
The PMF is recognized as a paramilitary force in Iraq, having been established in 2014 when the terrorist organization ISIS seized large portions of the country. The PMF played a crucial role in driving ISIS out of Iraq in 2017 and has since been officially recognized as a security force by the Iraqi government, with its fighters receiving salaries from the state.
Deependra Singh Chundawat is a Senior Sub-Editor at Udaipur Kiran, specializing in a wide range of technology topics including mobile phones, applications, gaming, PCs, and wearables. Along with covering the latest tech news, he also creates engaging web stories. Passionate about emerging technologies, he stays up to date with the newest trends and enjoys reading and writing about the latest mobile launches and digital innovations.