US strikes hit Iraq PMF base twice, killing 22 in Anbar
Confidence: HIGH (85/100) | April 08, 2026 |
aljazeera.com
In one sentence: US airstrikes on Iraq's PMF headquarters in Anbar killed at least 22 fighters across two consecutive days, prompting Baghdad to grant the paramilitaries authority to respond by force.
Why it matters: The strikes hit a shared base used by the PMF and Iraq's regular army — marking the first time the two have been targeted together, according to Al Jazeera's correspondent in Baghdad. Baghdad's decision to authorise the PMF to respond to incoming aircraft and drones raises the risk of direct PMF-US escalation inside Iraq. Iraq is simultaneously summoning the US envoy and filing a UN Security Council complaint, placing Prime Minister al-Sudani under acute pressure to balance Washington and Tehran.
What Happened Today
- Airstrikes on the PMF's Anbar operations headquarters on Tuesday, March 25, killed at least 15 fighters including regional commander Saad al-Baiji, and wounded 30 others; the PMF blamed the United States, and Iraq's military accused both the US and Israel of carrying out the strike, Reuters reported.
- A second strike the following day — Wednesday, March 26 — hit a military healthcare clinic at the same Habbaniyah base, killing seven additional fighters and wounding 13, Iraq's Ministry of Defence said, calling the attack 'a heinous crime' that violated 'all international laws and norms'.
- The strikes appeared to be the first time the PMF was targeted alongside the broader Iraqi regular army at a shared base, according to Al Jazeera's correspondent Assed Baig reporting from Baghdad.
- Iraqi PM Mohammed Shia al-Sudani instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to summon the US chargé d'affaires in Baghdad and said Iraq would file a formal complaint with the UN Security Council over repeated violations of its sovereignty.
- Iraq's National Security Council authorised the PMF and other security forces to act under the principle of self-defence and respond to attacks 'by all available means'; a PMF official told AFP the group now has clearance to directly engage incoming aircraft and drones.
Contested Claims
- PMF statement; Iraqi military spokesman Sabah al-Numan, via Reuters: The PMF and Iraq's military accused the United States of carrying out the strikes on the Anbar headquarters. Times of Israel, citing Reuters: Neither the United States nor Israel publicly commented on or acknowledged responsibility for the strikes.
Unverified / Single Source
- (Unverified — single source; not independently corroborated by US military or wire agencies) The Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed the US pulled all forces out of Camp Victory near Baghdad Airport. [Islamic Resistance in Iraq statement, reported by Antiwar.com]
- (Unverified — anonymous source; not confirmed by named official or second independent source) PMF leader Falih al-Fayadh's residence in Mosul was also struck in a separate drone attack on Tuesday; he was not present. [Two anonymous security sources cited by Reuters/Al-Arabiya]
Key Figures
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PMF fighters killed in Tuesday's Anbar headquarters strike | 15, including Anbar operations commander Saad al-Baiji | Reuters, citing security and health sources; PMF confirmed statement |
| PMF fighters killed in Wednesday's Habbaniyah clinic strike | 7 | Iraq Ministry of Defence, via Al Jazeera |
| Total wounded across both Anbar strikes | 43 (30 + 13) | Reuters; Iraq Ministry of Defence |
| Total PMF strikes since US-Israel war on Iran began (Feb 28) | Nearly 100 strikes, killing more than 65 fighters, wounding over 130 | PMF officials, cited by The New Arab |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who carried out the airstrikes on the PMF in Anbar, Iraq? Iraq's military and the PMF blame the United States and Israel. The Pentagon has previously acknowledged combat helicopters struck pro-Iran groups in Iraq during the current conflict, but neither Washington nor Israel publicly claimed or denied responsibility for these specific strikes, according to Reuters and the Times of Israel.
What is the PMF and why is it being targeted? The Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), or Hashd al-Shaabi, is a mostly Shia paramilitary alliance formally integrated into Iraq's security forces in 2016. It includes Iran-aligned brigades that have launched attacks on US bases and the US Embassy in Baghdad since the US-Israeli war on Iran began on February 28, making its positions targets of counter-strikes.
What does Iraq's authorisation for the PMF to respond mean for the conflict? Iraq's National Security Council has given the PMF legal authority to respond to attacks 'by all available means', including engaging aircraft and drones. Reuters analysts warn this risks turning Iraq into a direct US-PMF battlefield and makes it far harder for PM al-Sudani to maintain his fragile balance between Washington and Tehran.
Background
The US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026, triggering a wider regional war. Iran-backed groups, including Iraqi PMF factions, responded with attacks on US bases and diplomatic facilities across Iraq, while the US began targeting PMF positions in return. Iraq sits at the centre of this proxy battlefield, with its government — formally allied with Washington but with a Shia-majority political base aligned with Tehran — struggling to remain neutral as its own territory and security forces absorb strikes from both sides.
Sources
- aljazeera.com — aljazeera.com (unknown date)
- usnews.com — usnews.com (unknown date)
- english.alarabiya.net — english.alarabiya.net (unknown date)
- al-monitor.com — al-monitor.com (unknown date)
- newarab.com — newarab.com (unknown date)
- thenationalnews.com — thenationalnews.com (unknown date)
- timesofisrael.com — timesofisrael.com (unknown date)
- news.antiwar.com — news.antiwar.com (unknown date)