Iraqi Militia Aligned with Iran Reports Senior Leader Killed in Alleged US Attack

In a significant incident in Baghdad on Thursday, a military commander from the Hashed al-Shaabi, a group once part of Iraq’s paramilitary forces and now integrated into its armed forces, was killed in what is being described as a US strike. An Iraqi security official, preferring anonymity, reported that a drone targeted the group’s logistical support headquarters, resulting in two fatalities and seven injuries.

A source from the Hashed, requesting anonymity, corroborated these details and attributed the attack to the United States. Harakat al-Nujaba, a faction within the Hashed, released a statement identifying the deceased as Mushtaq Talib al-Saidi, the deputy commander of operations for Baghdad, labeling his death as a martyrdom in a U.S. strike.

This incident occurred against the backdrop of escalating regional tensions, primarily fueled by the ongoing conflict between US ally Israel and Iran-backed Hamas militants in Gaza, sparked by a lethal attack by Hamas on October 7.

As of now, there has been no immediate response from U.S. officials. However, US forces stationed in Iraq and neighboring Syria have reportedly experienced an increase in attacks since the Israel-Hamas conflict began. Video footage shared on a Telegram channel linked to the Hashed depicts smoke plumes over the strike site on Baghdad’s Palestine Street, a usually busy commercial area.

The U.S. has recorded over 100 attacks on its interests in Syria and Iraq since mid-October, with many claims of responsibility by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an alliance of Iran-affiliated armed groups opposing U.S. support for Israel in the Gaza conflict.

The U.S. maintains a military presence in the region, with approximately 2,500 troops in Iraq and 900 in Syria, as part of an international coalition combating the Islamic State group. In response to recent assaults, the US military has conducted airstrikes targeting locations associated with Iran and its proxies in Iraq and Syria, including Hashed sites.