Arabic version: غارات جوية في العراق تقتل خمسة وتزيد من التوترات الإقليمية

Air strikes targeting Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) have resulted in the deaths of three fighters and two Iraqi police, as the conflict involving the US and Israel continues to impact the region. According to Al Jazeera, the double-bombing occurred at the PMF’s headquarters near Kirkuk International Airport on March 28, 2026, injuring two additional fighters and six Iraqi soldiers.

The PMF, which has been integrated into the Iraqi army, condemned the air strikes, attributing the attack to a “treacherous Zionist-American” operation. The strikes also included a separate incident in Mosul, where two Iraqi police members were killed in a targeted attack on the PMF.

As the conflict escalates, Al Jazeera’s Nicolas Haque reported from Baghdad that Iraq is becoming an “expanding battleground” in the ongoing crisis that began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran. Pro-Iran armed groups within the PMF have been involved in attacks against US interests in the region, complicating Iraq’s political landscape.

Haque noted the difficulty for the Iraqi government in managing the various factions, especially those loyal to Tehran, while trying to maintain relations with the United States. The situation has placed Baghdad in a precarious position, balancing its ties with both nations.

In related developments, drone attacks were reported targeting an airbase near Erbil, which serves as a hub for US and coalition forces. The US C-RAM air defense system intercepted the drones, highlighting the ongoing security challenges in the region. Additionally, Kurdish officials condemned a drone attack on the residence of Nechirvan Barzani, the president of the Kurdish region, calling for action against the groups responsible.