The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) issued a statement today, Monday, regarding the American airstrike against its troops in western Anbar. The statement indicated that "at 2 AM today (June 28, 2021), American aircraft targeted three positions of the PMF (the 14th and 46th brigades) located 13 kilometers inside the Iraqi border in the Qaim district of western Anbar."
The statement added that "this attack resulted in the martyrdom of 4 personnel who were performing their regular duty to prevent the infiltration of ISIS terrorist elements from Syria into Iraq, as part of the official responsibilities of the PMF under the command of the joint operations, and they were not engaged in any activity against foreign presence in Iraq, a position that the PMF has repeatedly clarified."
It continued, stating that "the PMF positions that were bombed do not contain any warehouses or similar facilities, contrary to the American claims presented to justify this crime against PMF fighters." It emphasized, "We strongly condemn and denounce this heinous attack on our forces, and we extend our heartfelt condolences and sincere solidarity to the families of the martyrs. We affirm our legal right to respond to these aggressions and hold the perpetrators accountable on Iraqi soil."
The statement mentioned that "this attack comes as part of efforts to weaken Iraq and its security forces, including the PMF, which the United States and other countries have previously acknowledged for defeating terrorism and removing its threat and evils from the world, as it also serves to strengthen terrorist groups."
The statement further noted, "This attack represents a targeting of Iraq's sovereignty, especially as it coincides with the great successes marked by the significant parade of the PMF on the occasion of its founding, which was sponsored by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and the holding of the tripartite summit in Baghdad yesterday."
The statement concluded by lauding "the stance of the Iraqi government and its commitment to resolving the issue of the withdrawal of foreign forces from Iraq to ensure the country’s full sovereignty over its territory and airspace."
