Drone Strike Hits Militia Headquarters in Iraq

A drone strike has hit the headquarters of the Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah militia in Iraq, in the Jurf al-Sakhar area southwest of Baghdad, killing at least two people and wounding four others, two militia officials said.

The Israeli strikes on Iran and the accompanying US military action have been widely condemned. (Photo: Tasnim News Agency) 

They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly, Qassim Abdul Zahra reported for the Associated Press (AP).

Before Saturday’s strikes on Iran, the group had threatened to join the fray should Iran be attacked.

Meanwhile, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said in a statement that he received a call from his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, in which Araghchi said Iran would target US bases in the region in self-defense.

“He clarified that these attacks were not targeting the countries involved, but were limited to military sites,” the statement said. It added that Hussein urged de-escalation.

Meanwhile, Eileen Ng reported for i that Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim condemned the Israeli strikes on Iran and the accompanying US military action, warning that the escalating conflict has pushed the Middle East to the “edge of catastrophe.”

Anwar said Israel’s initiation of the strikes was a “vile attempt” to sabotage ongoing negotiations and draw other nations into a broader conflict that could spiral out of control.

He called for an “immediate and unconditional cessation of hostilities.”