A series of airstrikes on Thursday killed at least 11 members of Iran-aligned factions operating within Iraq, striking positions belonging to the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and Hezbollah brigades in Al-Anbar province and the capital Baghdad.
The Popular Mobilization Forces announced that nine of its members were killed and ten others wounded in a dawn strike targeting a headquarters of Ansar Allah al-Awfiya movement at a PMF base in the city of Al-Qa’im near the Iraqi-Syrian border. One official stated that “the headquarters was destroyed and rescue teams were also targeted upon arrival.”
Later Thursday evening, two additional members of Hezbollah brigades were killed in a strike on a military base housing PMF facilities on the outskirts of Baghdad, according to officials from the Iran-aligned faction.
Details of Strikes on Al-Anbar and Baghdad
Al-Qa’im Strike in Al-Anbar Province
The initial airstrike targeted a headquarters belonging to the Ansar Allah al-Awfiya movement, a faction operating within the PMF structure, at a base in Al-Qa’im city located near the Iraqi-Syrian border in Al-Anbar province. Two security officials confirmed to AFP that the strike hit a strategic position of the movement.
The strike resulted in complete destruction of the targeted headquarters, forcing immediate deployment of rescue and emergency teams. However, the rescue teams themselves came under fire as they arrived at the scene, resulting in additional casualties among first responders.
Ansar Allah al-Awfiya released a statement mourning “a group of brave fighters in the 19th Brigade of the Popular Mobilization Forces who were martyred in the Zionist-American aggression in the Akashat area on the Iraqi-Syrian border while performing their sacred duty in protecting the nation’s borders.”
Attack on Camp Al-Saqr near Baghdad
In a separate but simultaneous operation, Thursday evening strikes targeted a military base housing Popular Mobilization Forces facilities on the outskirts of the capital Baghdad. Two officials from Hezbollah brigades announced the killing of “fighters from Hezbollah brigades in a Zionist-American strike on Camp Al-Saqr” in southwest Baghdad.
This marked the first strike of its kind on a military facility near the capital since the outbreak of regional conflict in late February. The attack escalated concerns about the expanding scope of strikes affecting Iraq’s central areas.
Broader Context: Iraq as a Theater of Conflict
The Popular Mobilization Forces and Iran-Aligned Factions
Established in 2014 as a coalition of factions to combat the Islamic State organization, the Popular Mobilization Forces were later formally integrated into Iraq’s military structure and placed under the command of the Iraqi armed forces. However, the PMF incorporates brigades and armed factions aligned with Iran that operate with considerable autonomy and fall under the broader umbrella of “Islamic Resistance in Iraq.”
Since the outbreak of the US-Israeli war against Iran on February 28, multiple strikes have targeted headquarters of Iran-aligned factions within PMF bases. Thursday’s strike on Camp Al-Saqr represents the first such attack on a facility in the vicinity of Baghdad since the conflict began.
Official Iraqi Protest and Statements
The Popular Mobilization Forces issued an official statement expressing “strong rejection and condemnation of the sinful air attacks that targeted its official headquarters in several Iraqi governorates and were carried out by American aircraft” since the war began. The PMF stressed that “these headquarters had no role in targeting bases inside or outside Iraq, and those who were martyred are innocent fighters performing their official duties, with some stationed on borders to protect Iraq’s sovereignty and security.”
Sabah Al-Numan, spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, characterized the attacks as “systematic and repeated aggression and indiscriminate targeting of positions and headquarters” that “is not merely a military violation but a desperate attempt to create chaos and strike at societal peace.”
Attack on Iraqi Oil Tankers
One Dead, 51 Rescued
In a concurrent but separate operation, two oil tankers were targeted in Iraqi territorial waters Thursday morning, resulting in one crew member killed and dozens rescued. Iraqi authorities confirmed that the deceased crew member held Indian nationality, and the remaining 15 Indian crew members were evacuated to safety.
Farhan Al-Fartousi, director general of Iraqi Ports Authority, told AFP that “all crew members from both tankers were rescued,” clarifying that “51 individuals were in good condition while one person died and his body was recovered.” Several crew members received medical treatment for injuries sustained in the attack.
Tankers Targeted and Damage Assessment
Iraq’s State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO) identified the two targeted tankers as “SAFESEA VISHNU” sailing under the Marshall Islands flag and chartered to an Iraqi contracting company, and “ZEFYROS” under the Malta flag, carrying condensate products from Basra Gas Company. Both vessels were in Iraqi territorial waters during side-loading operations when attacked.
The ZEFYROS was en route to Khor Al-Zubair port to load an additional 30,000 tons of naphtha when the strike occurred. Television footage showed one vessel with flames and heavy smoke billowing from its structure, indicating substantial damage from the attack.
Iranian Revolutionary Guards Claims Responsibility
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards announced it had targeted the SAFESEA vessel in the northern Gulf “after it ignored warnings and alerts and failed to comply” with orders, characterizing the tanker as US-owned. The Guards did not specify the weapons used or provide detailed operational information about the attack.
Consequences for Maritime Transport and Energy Sector
Following the attacks, Iraqi oil ports halted operations completely, while commercial ports continued functioning at reduced capacity. Al-Fartousi stated that ships remained in waiting zones while loading and unloading operations continued partially at the northern and southern terminals of Umm Qasr port.
Saad Maan, head of the Iraqi government’s Security Media Cell, described the attack as “a cowardly act of sabotage,” emphasizing that “the government is making efforts not to be a party to the war” while stressing that “this targeting represents an encroachment on Iraqi sovereignty.”
Iraq’s Ministry of Oil called on Thursday for “all parties to exercise restraint and work to neutralize maritime passages and energy infrastructure from the sphere of conflict, ensuring the energy market and preserving the stability of regional and global economics.”
Iraq Caught Between Competing Powers
A Precarious Balance
Iraq has long served as a primary arena for US-Iran competition for regional influence. Iraqi governments since the 2003 American invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein’s regime have struggled to maintain a delicate balance in relations with both superpowers.
Since the outbreak of the current war, Iraqi authorities found themselves in the midst of a conflict over which they have little real influence, exposing the nation’s stability and sovereignty to serious risks.
Unconfirmed US-Israeli Operations
Neither the United States nor Israel has officially confirmed conducting strikes on Iraqi territory since the Middle East war began in late February, despite accusations from Iraqi authorities and armed factions.
Transportation and Trade Disrupted: Limited Crossings and Longer Routes
Border Crossings Disrupted
Since the war began, truck drivers have been forced to take longer and more difficult routes to reach Iraq from Iran. The principal Haj Omran crossing, which connected Iran to Iraqi Kurdistan, was quickly closed following US-Israeli airstrikes.
An Iranian truck driver named Reza (pseudonym for security reasons) from Piranshahr in northwest Iran near the Iraqi border reported: “I waited five nights and the Haj Omran crossing did not open.” He was forced to take a longer alternate route exceeding 300 kilometers through the more distant Pashmaghan crossing.
Approximately twenty trucks loaded with food supplies now wait at border depots, a sharp decline from the hundreds of vehicles that crossed before the war.
Economic Impact on Iranian Side
The war has halted Iranian exports and disrupted internal transport operations. Another driver, Akbar Jafari, 37, explained that trucks no longer travel from the north of the country to Tehran or to Bandar Abbas, the main southern port.
Jafari noted declining prices for some food items in his region, with the exception of chicken. He sent his wife and seven-year-old son to the countryside following the first attacks, saying “the problems are concentrated in city centers.”
Daily Life Under Strain
Life has gradually slowed with schools closing since the war began, with reopening postponed until after the Persian New Year (Nowruz) holidays on March 21. The government announced 40 days of mourning for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed on the first day of the war.
Both truck drivers said they would not celebrate Nowruz this year. Reza added: “Anyone who celebrates the holiday under these circumstances will face serious problems.”
When asked about who should lead Iran, he said: “What we want is someone who actually serves the people,” acknowledging he wanted “the war to end” but believing “only Americans can change the system.” He referenced the violent suppression of protests in January that killed thousands according to human rights organizations.
Adaptation to New Realities
A resident named Zahid, 37, reported that initially “people were very scared of the bombing,” but “we got used to it.” He said: “Fighter jets pass constantly in the sky, day and night, but it became like watching a bird flying.”
This perspective came despite his city of Marivan, 30 kilometers from the Pashmaghan crossing, experiencing repeated bombing that killed four civilians. Zahid noted: “Many people left, but they quickly returned.”
However, his wife, worried about their children aged five and fifteen, left with them for rural areas where her family lives. He reflected: “Our life was good before.”
Conclusion
Recent events in Iraq reflect the complex realities of the Israel-Iran conflict unfolding on Iraqi territory, with the nation paying a heavy price in lives, economic damage, and stability. As the war continues, Iraq remains hostage to a broader conflict that transcends its geographic and political boundaries, forcing a nation struggling with its own governance challenges to navigate geopolitical forces beyond its control.
