Iraq vows retaliation after deadly US strikes on Popular Mobilization Units
The Iraqi armed forces have announced that they would respond to recent airstrikes carried out by US aircraft and drones targeting the anti-terror resistance Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), citing the principle of self-defense.
The strikes, which hit the PMU early Tuesday, claimed the lives of at least 15 fighters, including Dr. Saad Daway, commander of operations in the western Iraqi province of al-Anbar.
Another strike later struck the PMU headquarters in Nineveh Province in north-western Iraq, which also served as the residence of its leader, Falih Al Fayyadh.
"The continuation of this aggressive approach and repeated brutal crimes against our brave security forces… confirms a clear and pre-planned policy to target our courageous forces," the PMU said.
All energy facilities in region within reach of our missiles, Iraqi resistance warns UShttps://t.co/dzw0alqa7X
— Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) March 22, 2026
Videos circulated online showed black smoke rising from a targeted building after a drone strike. No fatalities were reported at the Nineveh site, but at least one fighter was injured, and the targeted building sustained significant damage.
Following the strikes, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani convened an emergency meeting of the Ministerial Council for National Security. The council resolved to defend Iraq and respond to "unjustified aggressions and grave violation of sovereignty."
A spokesperson for the commander-in-chief of the armed forces also said, "We have decided to respond to the attacks carried out by US warplanes and drones targeting the headquarters and formations of the Popular Mobilization Units, in accordance with the principle of the right to self-defense."
"We have decided to pursue those involved in attacks on security institutions and diplomatic missions."
The Iraqi foreign ministry is, meanwhile, filing a formal complaint with the United Nations Security Council and has summoned the US chargé d’affaires.
Attacks on the PMU have escalated since late last month when the United States and the Israeli regime began their latest round of unprovoked aggression against neighboring Iran.
Senior Iraqi figures have expressed outrage over both the escalation and the atrocities targeting the Islamic Republic.
Top Iraqi cleric slams US-Israeli aggression against Iran as unacceptablehttps://t.co/fdmv25F0vY
— Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) March 21, 2026
Reacting to the developments on the ground, various PMU factions have also vowed sustained resistance in the face of those trying to compromise the Arab country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, besides expressing solidarity with the Islamic Republic in the face of the unlawful American-Israeli attacks.
Iraqi Sunni clerics pledge allegiance to new leader of Islamic revolution
All energy facilities in region within reach of our missiles, Iraqi resistance warns US
Top Iraqi cleric slams US-Israeli aggression against Iran as unacceptable
Wave 80: IRGC launches major strikes against northern, central occupied territories, US bases
Iran vows to make US, Israel regret aggression; China urges attackers to end 'bullying' behavior
Iraq vows retaliation after deadly US strikes on Popular Mobilization Units
Iran defends sovereignty, territorial integrity with full force: FM
Iran's air defenses down US cruise missiles near Tehran, over Markazi Province
True Promise 4: Iran and resistance axis ops. against US-Israeli assets on Mar. 24
Araghchi: Strait of Hormuz ‘not closed’ to those who respect Iran’s ‘navigational rights’
Iran trained in ‘asymmetrical warfare’ for two decades waiting for US troops: Defense official
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
