US Strikes Target Iran-Aligned Groups in Iraq Amid Escalating Tensions

By WSN Editorial TeamTech ReporterMarch 23, 20263 min readUpdated less than an hour ago

Iraq faces heightened risks as US strikes against Iran-backed groups intensify, amid ongoing regional conflicts and disruptions to oil exports.

US forces conducted air strikes on the headquarters of the Iran-aligned Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) in Baghdad late on Sunday, targeting positions after attacks on a US diplomat and logistics center at Baghdad International Airport.

The strikes hit three different locations, with local emergency officials reporting no casualties as the sites were deserted. This escalation follows a drone strike that killed one police officer at the Iraqi National Intelligence Service headquarters over the weekend.

Recent Attacks and Security Measures

Iraqi security forces responded by setting up checkpoints around Baghdad to prevent further drone launches from areas near the city. The PMF, part of Iraq's regular armed forces, includes pro-Iran groups and has been targeted amid ongoing conflicts.

Overnight from Friday to Saturday, at least three drone attacks struck the US Camp Victory logistics hub at Baghdad's airport, with some drones breaching air defenses and causing symbolic damage.

Iraqis are increasingly caught between the US and Iran, as stated by reporters on the ground, with the country sharing a large border with Iran and hosting US forces. This positioning complicates local authorities' efforts to balance relationships with both sides.

Economic Impacts of the Conflict

Iraq's Oil Ministry declared force majeure on oilfields last week due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, halting most crude exports and deepening economic woes, as oil revenues account for 90 percent of the country's income.

US President Donald Trump threatened strikes on Iran's power plants if navigation in the Strait is not restored within 48 hours, as mentioned in reports. The PMF, formed in 2014 to fight ISIL and now under Iraqi military authority, continues to receive state funding amid these tensions.