Iraq investigates airstrike on Popular Mobilization Forces headquarters in Baghdad

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Salah al-Ubaidi, the special representative of the Sadrist movement leader, said authorities are attempting to cover up the circumstances of an airstrike that hit headquarters of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) in Baghdad. In a statement following the attack, al-Ubaidi alleged that an evacuation order for the sites was issued by political and administrative authorities but was not communicated to all units, resulting in the deaths of Iraqi civilians. Al-Ubaidi said a media campaign targeting the Sadrist movement was launched to obscure what he described as an "internal crime." He called for legal, administrative and judicial investigations to hold those responsible accountable and urged the public to demand punishment for those whose actions cost Iraqi lives. Al-Ubaidi reiterated that the Sadr movement leader's call for calm remains in place and that no further official statements will be issued during ongoing political discussions. He also denied a report attributed to him one month before the announcement of the Adel Abdul-Mahdi government that he had no objection to Nouri al-Maliki. No further details on the casualties or the identity of the party behind the airstrike were immediately available.