Nearly 30 PMF fighters killed in western Iraq strikes: Officials
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Over two dozen fighters from the Iran-aligned Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) were killed in suspected US strikes on their bases in Iraq’s western Anbar province early Thursday, local sources report, as Iraqi security officials condemned the strikes as an “indiscriminate” attack and violation of the country’s sovereignty that has killed or injured “tens.”
The incident
The PMF’s 19th Brigade, also known as Ansar Allah al-Awfiya, had its bases in the Akashat area southwest of al-Qaim targeted early Thursday, PMF spokesperson Karim al-Kinani confirmed in a statement.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani stated on Thursday that he is "closely following" the aftermath of the "blatant attacks" on sites belonging to the PMF, which “resulted in the martyrdom of several of our heroic fighters while performing their sacred duties, within the scope of our security forces’ responsibilities.”
In a statement on X, the premier condemned the “systematic and repeated aggression, targeting sites and headquarters indiscriminately,” adding that it “is not just a military violation, but a desperate attempt to create confusion, undermine societal peace, and weaken the security gains secured through the blood and sacrifices of the Iraqi people and our martyrs.
“We affirm that the blood of our fighters is a trust upon us, and we will not allow Iraq to become a ground for settling scores or a stage for violating our national dignity,” the Iraqi Premier concluded.
Iraq's National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji also deplored what he said was “a cowardly terrorist attack on the Popular Mobilization Forces in al-Qaim, which resulted in the martyrdom and injury of dozens of our heroic security personnel.”
He added that “this targeting constitutes a blatant assault and a violation of sovereignty.”
Meanwhile, the Security Media Cell (SMC), an affiliate of the the Iraqi Joint Operations Command (JOC), which reports to the Iraqi prime minister, said it was “monitoring with deep concern” the “brutal and blatant attacks against the heroes of the Popular Mobilization Forces, while they perform their sacred national duties alongside their brothers in our security forces within the areas of responsibility.”
The SMC further added that these operations constitute “a clear aggression against our heroic security forces, who have adhered to the highest standards of professionalism and patriotism in protecting the land and honor, and in safeguarding the security achievements attained through the sacrifices of our units in all their branches.”
The death toll
Local sources in al-Qaim told Rudaw the strikes targeted military bases, vehicles, and support facilities in Akashat, killing nearly 30 PMF fighters and injuring several others.
Imad al-Dulaimi, the mayor of Rutba district which borders al-Qaim, told reporters, including Rudaw’s that “the PMF base that was attacked was located on the border of Rutba district in the the Akashat area,” and that “simultaneously, several other [PMF] bases in the al-Qaim District were also hit.”
Dulaimi noted that “preliminary reports indicate nearly 30 fighters were killed, but final confirmation has yet to be made.”
Similarly, Turki al-Mahlawi, the mayor of al-Qaim District, corroborated Dulaimi’s assessment, stating that “in the Akashat attack, more than 30 PMF fighters were killed and many others were injured.”
The backdrop
The PMF is an umbrella organization of Iraqi armed groups that includes factions aligned with the Iran-led ‘Axis of Resistance.’ Its 19th Brigade, Ansar Allah al-Awfiya, was designated in June 2024 by the US as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGT) and later as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) in September 2025, alongside groups like Kata’ib Hezbollah.
The US specifically cited Ansar Allah al-Awfiya’s involvement in the January 2024 drone attack on the Tower 22 outpost in northeastern Jordan, that killed three US personnel and injured several others.
Moreover, the strikes on the group’s positions in western Iraq comes as the joint US-Israeli campaign against Iran entered its thirteenth day on Thursday, with bombardment focusing on targeting security and military installations as well as government institutions across the country.
Iran, for its part, said on Friday that it had launched more than 2,000 drones and over 600 missiles targeting US and Israeli positions as part of its multi-front response.
The Iranian response has also included attacks by groups aligned with the Iran-led ‘Axis of Resistance,’ including shadowy armed factions that have recently targeted alleged US assets in Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region.