At least 21 militants have been killed and several others wounded in two separate attacks targeting Iranian- and US-backed armed groups in Iraq, further escalating tensions in the region.
Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) confirmed that 15 of its fighters were killed in a US airstrike in the country’s western region.
According to the PMF, its commander Saad al-Baiji was among those killed, whose funeral is being held in Baghdad.
The PMF is a coalition of various armed groups, most of which are Iran-backed factions, and has now been formally incorporated into the Iraqi security forces.
According to Reuters, the attack took place while an important meeting was underway at the PMF headquarters and several senior commanders were present.
On the other hand, a Kurdish force base in the northern Iraqi city of Erbil was targeted by a missile attack, killing at least 6 Kurdish fighters and wounding 22.
According to security and Kurdish sources, it is currently unclear which side carried out the attack, and no group has claimed responsibility for it.
Both attacks came at a time when tensions between pro-Iranian groups, US interests and Kurdish forces in Iraq are continuing to rise.
According to analysts, these attacks could further strain the balance of power and the security situation in the region.
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