Iraq pulled into Iran war as US targets Iran-aligned groups

Baghdad [Iraq], March 24: Air strikes have targeted the headquarters of the Iran-aligned Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) in Iraq's capital, Baghdad, as the country becomes a two-way battlefield between armed factions and the US during its war with Iran.
The US carried out strikes against the Shia paramilitary umbrella group, also known locally as Hashed al-Shaabi, late on Sunday after attacks on a US diplomatic and logistics centre at Baghdad International Airport.
"Units of the PMF were targeted by drone strikes and airstrikes, with three strikes in different locations," a statement from a local emergency crisis cell said, adding that there were no casualties because the positions were deserted.
The attack was carried out after Iraqi security officials said four explosions were heard near Camp Victory, a US logistics centre at the capital's main airport. Al Jazeera's Assed Baig, reporting from Baghdad, said some drones "breached air defences and caused damage, more symbolic damage than anything else".
"At the same time, Iraqi security forces have set up checkpoints around Baghdad to try and stop these drone strikes because some of these factions are launching drones from the vicinity of Baghdad," he said.
Baig added that such attacks put local authorities "in a very difficult position, trying to balance the relationship with the US and these very powerful armed groups".
Nicolas Haque, also reporting from Iraq's capital, said Iraqis don't want to be dragged into the war with Iran, which began on February 28 when the US and Israel launched joint air strikes.
"They're caught between Iran, a country they share their largest land border with, and the US," he said. "So they are in a tough and difficult position with having so many Iran-backed [armed groups] inside the country and seeing this escalation of violence."
Source: Qatar Tribune