Rising US strikes and militia attacks in Iraq leave civilians caught in crossfire
A wave of drone strikes and air attacks across Iraq is increasingly putting civilians at risk, as clashes between U.S. forces and Iran‑linked militias escalate across the country.
In northern Iraq, a drone attack targeted a Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) checkpoint near Mosul, followed by a U.S. airstrike that reportedly hit nearby shops and civilian areas. Eyewitnesses described a series of explosions that shook surrounding neighborhoods.
The violence comes amid a broader surge in attacks nationwide. In Sulaymaniya, a Peshmerga base was struck with rockets and drones, while another PMF base in Anbar came under attack. In Baghdad, drones targeting the airport were intercepted, but falling debris caused civilian injuries.
Security sources say the situation shows a pattern of retaliatory attacks, with U.S. and coalition forces striking militia positions, followed by counterattacks on military bases. Recent waves of drone incidents have hit multiple provinces, and debris from intercepted drones has caused injuries to civilians (Shafaq News).
Despite the military focus of these operations, it is ordinary civilians who are bearing the consequences, as attacks increasingly occur near populated areas.
Analysts warn that Iraq risks becoming a wider battleground in the regional conflict, with ongoing strikes threatening to further destabilize the country and increase civilian casualties.
Source: Al Jazeera