19 June 2018•Update: 19 June 2018
BAGHDAD
Iraq’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday condemned a U.S. airstrike on a post of the pro-government Hashd al-Shaabi forces near border with Syria.
“We condemn the act of targeting forces fighting the Daesh terrorist group in Syria and Iraq,” the ministry said in a statement.
"Targeting forces that battle terrorism, regardless of their name, means [providing] support for Daesh,” it added.
On Monday, the Hashd al-Shaabi said that U.S. warplanes had struck one of its encampments near the Syrian border, leaving 22 of its fighters dead.
The group went on to demand a “formal explanation” from the U.S. regarding the deadly incident.
The Iraqi Defense Ministry, however, said the U.S. did not carry out the attack.
Incorporated into the Iraqi Armed Forces in late 2016, the Hashd al-Shaabi is composed mainly of Shia fighters. First established in 2014 with the express purpose of fighting the Daesh terrorist group, the Hashd al-Shaabi is believed to include more than 150,000 Shia fighters.
* Ali Murat Alhas contributed to this report from Ankara.
