Alwaght- US forces have killed over 30 members of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) attacking body's military base in western Anbar province near Iraqi border with Syria.
According to a statement released by the Sayyedd al-Shuhada brigades, part of the PMF also known as Hashd al-Shaabi, on their website on Monday, their base was targeted by US artillery fire and smart bombs.
In the statement, the brigades called on the Iraqi government to launch an extensive investigation into the incident, while noting that the US’ actions will not remain unanswered.
“We declare that the attack will not go unpunished and we call upon all Islamic resistance factions in Iraq to examine an appropriate response to such criminal act,” the statement red.
The PMF is a group of Shiite and Sunni fighters that was formed after the emergence of ISIS terrorist group in Iraq in 2014. In the early days of ISIS terror campaign, the then-volunteer fighters played a major role in reinforcing the Iraqi army, which had suffered heavy setbacks in the face of lightning advances by the terrorists.
Last November, the Iraqi parliament recognized PMF or Hashd al-Shaabi as an official force with similar rights as those of the regular army.
The Popular Mobilization Forces are now actively cooperating with Iraqi forces in operations to rid the whole country of ISIS elements.