Five Iranian advisers were reportedly killed in US-Saudi strikes on the Hashed al-Shaabi, an armed Iraqi alliance that includes pro-Iran groups. Two sources from the alliance told AFP that the Iranians died in a strike in the central Diyala province. AFP correspondents saw coffins wrapped in Iranian flags during a funeral organized by the Hashed al-Shaabi in Baghdad for those killed.
The Hashed al-Shaabi, also known as the Popular Mobilization Forces, is a coalition of Iraqi militias, some of which have close ties to Iran. The alliance has been a key player in Iraq's fight against ISIS and other militant groups.
The strikes come amid heightened tensions in the region, with the US and its allies increasingly targeting Iran-backed groups in Iraq and Syria. The US has accused these groups of destabilizing the region and threatening American interests.
Iran has condemned the strikes, calling them a violation of Iraq's sovereignty. The Iranian government has long supported the Hashed al-Shaabi and other pro-Iran groups in Iraq as part of its broader strategy to exert influence in the region.
The incident underscores the complex and volatile security situation in Iraq, where various factions and foreign powers vie for influence. The involvement of Iranian advisers in the Hashed al-Shaabi highlights the deep ties between Iran and some of the groups operating in Iraq.
