The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of Iranian-aligned armed groups, vowed military retaliation against the United States and Saudi Arabia after deadly strikes it blamed on them. The Popular Mobilization Forces reported at least 20 members killed and 32 wounded across multiple provinces and described the attacks as joint US-Saudi strikes. The militia has given Iraqi authorities until next week to demonstrate they can defend sovereignty, while several Iran-backed groups continue to resist government calls to disarm.
Iraq's Iran-Aligned Factions Vow Retaliation After Deadly Strikes; PMF Reports 20 Killed
FILE PHOTO - Members of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces stand near a concrete wall at the Iraqi-Syrian border in al-Qaim. (is associated with: «Iraqi armed faction threatens retaliation after deadly strikes») Ameer Al-Mohammedawi/dpa
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella term for several Iranian-aligned armed factions, announced on Wednesday that it will carry out military retaliation against the United States and Saudi Arabia following deadly strikes it blamed on the two countries.
In a written statement, the grouping reiterated that it denied responsibility for recent attacks on Saudi oil facilities and accused Washington and Riyadh of striking bases belonging to Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) as well as a convoy carrying pilgrims to the Shiite holy city of Karbala.
The group set a deadline: it said Iraqi authorities—some of which have called for armed factions to disarm—have until next week to demonstrate they can defend Iraq's sovereignty. The statement warned that its response against what it called the "American enemy" was "inevitable" and could, if circumstances required, target "its instruments in Saudi Arabia."
Earlier on Wednesday the PMF said at least 20 of its members had been killed and 32 others wounded in what it described as joint US-Saudi strikes on official PMF headquarters. The PMF listed affected provinces as Baghdad, Wasit, Nineveh, Basra, Kirkuk, Karbala and Diyala, and said casualty figures were preliminary and could rise as damage assessments continued.
Context
While the PMF is formally part of Iraq's state security apparatus, many powerful armed groups operating under the Islamic Resistance in Iraq banner retain independent command structures and have so far refused government calls to disarm. The latest exchanges have intensified debate inside Iraq about the role and future of Iran-backed factions and the state's ability to assert control over armed groups on its territory.
Note: Casualty figures reported by the PMF are preliminary and claims about the origin of the strikes have not been independently verified.
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