Iraqi security forces sit on vehicles at a street after a drone strike on the headquarters of paramilitary group Popular Mobilization Forces in Baghdad, Iraq, January 4, 2024. /Reuters
Four people were killed, including a senior commander of the 12th brigade of Popular Mobilization Forces, also known as Hashd Shaabi, and six others were injured in a U.S. drone attack on Baghdad on Thursday, according to Iraqi media.
The attack occurred at midday when an unknown drone bombarded the headquarters of Hashd Shaabi's 12th brigade in Palestine Street in the eastern part of Baghdad.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani said in a statement on Thursday that the U.S. drone attack is "a blatant violation of the sovereignty and security of Iraq," saying it is "no different from terrorist acts."
Major General Yahya Rasoul, spokesperson for Iraq's commander-in-chief of the armed forces, also condemned the attack as "an act akin to terrorist activities" and said the Iraqi forces hold the global coalition forces, which are led by the U.S., responsible for it.
But the U.S. has yet to respond to the claims.
The Popular Mobilization Forces paramilitary group was formed in 2014, with several Shiite militias affiliated with it. It was integrated into the Iraqi security forces in March 2018 and reports directly to the Iraqi Defense Ministry.
(With input from agencies)