04 Jan 2024 | 12:29 PM UTC
Iraq: Drone strikes in Baghdad kills two prominent Shi'a militia leaders Jan. 4 /update 1
Drone strikes in Baghdad, Iraq, kills two prominent Popular Mobilization Forces' leaders Jan. 4. Avoid the area.
An alleged US drone reportedly targeted a Population Mobilization Forces' (PMF's) logistics base on Palestine Street in Baghdad killing at least two Shi'a militia leaders and wounding several others Jan. 4. Mushtaq Talib al-Saeedi, commonly known as Abu Taqwa, and his deputy, Ali Nayef, were killed in the strikes. Abu Taqwa, the Deputy Commander of the PMF's Baghdad Belt Operations, served as a senior leader within the Harakat al-Najuba (Movement of the Party of God's Nobles) Shi'a militia organization. The US government is yet to acknowledge the attack. However, the Iraqi government has stated that the incident was unacceptable and that it planned to summon Washington's Ambassador in Baghdad to protest the attack.
The PMF has announced plans to hold a funeral procession outside the PMF's Information Directorate on Palestine Street at 18:00 on Jan. 4. The event will almost certainly will be well attended.
Increased security is likely in Baghdad over the coming hours. Travel and business disruptions are likely. Additional attacks remain possible over the short term.
Avoid the impacted areas. Heed the instructions of local security personnel. If incoming artillery fire is reported in the general vicinity, stay indoors, away from windows and exterior walls. If possible, move to a ground floor or basement. Maintain contact with your country's diplomatic mission.
Akram al-Kaabi founded the Harakat al-Najuba militia group in 2013. The organization constitutes the PMF's 12th Brigade and is among the Shi'a militia groups that Iran supports. The US government designated the group and al-Kaabi as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGT) in 2019.
