Airstrike killed six Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces in north of Baghdad

A convoy carrying members of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), was hit by an airstrike while traveling in Baghdad, media reports say. The PMF said that medics were in the cars.

The three-car convoy was struck in the northern outskirts of the Iraqi capital in the district of al-Taji, according to an Iraqi military source cited by Reuters. Six militiamen were reported killed in the attack, with three others critically injured. It remains unclear who carried out the strike.

The six killed in the strike have yet to be named, but early reports suggesting they hit two paramilitary commanders – Shibl al-Zaydi, secretary general of the Kataib al-Imam militia, as well as Qais al-Khazali, leader of Asaib Ahl al-Haq – were refuted by the PMF in a statement. Instead of senior leaders, the convoy contained medics, the group said.

“Initial sources confirm that the Airstrike targeted a convoy of Popular Mobilization Forces medics near Taji stadium in Baghdad,” said the statement, cited by Reuters.