TEHRAN – More than two dozen killed in the U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on positions of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMS) in a “blatant violation’ of sovereignty”.

Initial reports indicated that approximately 30 PMS soldiers were killed and dozens more wounded in the areas of Akashat and al-Qaim in Anbar province, western Iraq.

The strikes hit PMF positions in the desert region near the Iraqi–Syrian border, an area considered strategically sensitive due to its role in border security and military logistics. 

The top Iraqi officials have strongly condemned attacks on the PMF headquarters. 

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani, who is also the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, condemned the “blatant attacks” against PMF units.
“This systematic and repeated aggression, targeting sites and headquarters without discrimination, is not just a military breach, but a desperate attempt to confuse matters, disrupt social peace, and undermines the security gains achieved with the blood of Iraqis,” Al Sudani said in a statement.

Iraqi National Security Adviser Qasim al-Araji strongly also condemned the strike, describing it as a “blatant aggression and a violation of Iraq’s sovereignty.” 

In a statement, the top security chief said Iraq “condemns in the strongest terms the cowardly terrorist attack that targeted the Popular Mobilization Forces in al-Qaim, which resulted in the martyrdom and injury of dozens of our heroic security personnel.”

Al-Araji stressed that targeting PMF units constitutes a direct breach of Iraqi sovereignty. He also extended condolences to the PMF leadership and to the families of the victims, while wishing a swift recovery to those injured in the strike.

In a separate statement, the Iraqi Joint Operations Command also said it was closely monitoring what it described as “blatant and brutal attacks” against PMF soldiers who were carrying out their duties alongside other Iraqi security forces within their assigned operational sectors.

The command warned that repeated attacks and violations that fail to distinguish between targets will complicate the security assessments in the country. According to the statement, such incidents risk undermining social stability and threatening the security gains achieved after years of conflict.

Officials added that the attacks have sparked widespread anger among Iraqis, who view them as assaults on the country’s sovereignty and on forces that played a central role in defending the nation during its most difficult years.
The Joint Operations Command held the United States responsible for the consequences of the strike, noting that the attack followed earlier incidents targeting sites across the country, including in the Suwayrah District and other areas.

Iraqi authorities described such operations as a direct affront to Iraq’s dignity and sovereignty. Statements issued by security officials emphasized that Iraqi security forces, including PMF units, have maintained high levels of professionalism while carrying out their mission of protecting the country and preserving the security gains achieved after the defeat of Daesh.

The PMF was formed in 2014 after the rapid advances of the terrorist group, Daesh, which seized vast areas of Iraqi territory and threatened major cities, including Baghdad.

The force emerged following a mobilization call issued by senior Shia scholar Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. The force played a major role in liberating territory previously held by Daesh. Analysts say their heroism and sacrifices on the frontlines made the PMF an extremely popular arm of Iraq’s Armed Forces. 

In 2016, the Iraqi parliament passed legislation formally recognizing the PMF as part of the country’s official security apparatus. The force was integrated into the state structure and placed under government authority, making it an official component of Iraq’s national defense system.

Separate from the PMF structure is the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, whose origins trace back to the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq and subsequent occupation, which gave birth to resistance factions. 

These factions carried out attacks against U.S. forces during the years of the American occupation and became widely known as part of the Iraqi resistance movement.

Factions operating under the umbrella of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq have opened a “support front” in solidarity with Iran amid the ongoing war waged by the U.S. and the Zionist regime.

These factions have placed particular emphasis on targeting U.S. military bases stationed in Iraq and across the wider region. Using missiles and armed drones, the groups have announced a series of operations aimed at American military installations and logistical facilities used by U.S. forces.

The attack on the PMF is likely seen as a failed attempt to pressure the Iraqi resistance into halting its attacks. However, this has already backfired, as the resistance operates independently of the PMF.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq announced it shot down a U.S. KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft in western Iraq “using appropriate weapons”. 

The group also said it targeted a second KC-135 aircraft in the same area. According to its statement, the second aircraft was hit but its crew managed to keep it airborne and carried out an emergency landing at what the resistance front described as “one of the enemy’s airports.”

The Iraqi resistance front said the attacks were carried out in defense of Iraq’s sovereignty and its airspace, which had been violated by the U.S. aircraft.

It also said it had carried out 31 operations in a short time, using dozens of drones and missiles against U.S. bases in Iraq and the region. These include attacks on the American Victoria base at Baghdad International Airport and the al-Harir base at Erbil Airport with a squadron of drones. 

According to CNN, a U.S. official said that at least five crew members were aboard the KC-135 when it crashed.

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said rescue operations were underway after a military refueling aircraft was lost in Iraqi airspace during the U.S.–Israeli war against Iran.

CENTCOM stated that two aircraft were involved in the incident: one crashed in western Iraq, while the other landed safely. It also said the incident was not caused by hostile or friendly fire.

However, CBS News reported that the second aircraft, which landed in Tel Aviv, had also sustained damage. The network cited an Iraqi intelligence source as saying that the first aircraft crashed near the city of Trebil on the Iraq–Jordan border.

Israeli media reported that the U.S. aircraft that crashed in Iraq is estimated to be worth around $200 million.

CBS also reported that another U.S. military medical evacuation flight took place on Thursday, flying from Saudi Arabia to a U.S. base in Germany with about 19 U.S. soldiers onboard, including two soldiers injured when a drone exploded near their vehicle.