Iraq slams “mysterious airstrikes” against forces fighting IS on Syrian borders
US-led coalition aircraft. File photo.
Baghdad (Iraqinews.com) – Iraq has strongly condemned mysterious airstrikes that targeted Iraqi troops stationed on the Syrian borders to fight against Islamic State (IS) militants.
The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Tuesday that it “totally rejects and slams aerial bombardments that target troops fighting against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or in any other battlefield against the enemy.”
The ministry, in its statement, reiterated its call for all countries to remain united “in the face of these extremist groups” and stressed the need for constant and close coordination between the U.S.-led international coalition and the forces facing these groups.
Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces said on Monday that up to 34 fighters its members were killed and wounded Sunday after the U.S.-led international coalition targeted a military outpost in the Syrian city of Albu Kamal.
“At 22:00 last night a U.S. plane hit a fixed headquarters of the Popular Mobilization Forces’ 45th and 46th brigades defending the border strip with Syria using two guided missiles which led to the martyrdom of 22 fighters,” it said in a statement.
According to the statement, the airstrike left 12 others wounded.
“The U.S. should issue a detailed statement on that issue, especially that such airstrikes have been recurrent throughout the past period,” the statement concluded.