In Baghdad, members of the pro-Iranian Shiite paramilitary group Popular Mobilization gathered to pay tribute to fighters killed in US attacks. At least two people died, and three others were injured in an attack on a base of the group in Iraq. The Kalsu base near Baghdad, where Popular Mobilization fighters, Iraqi military, and police personnel are stationed, was targeted by the attack.
Popular Mobilization is made up of armed groups, many with ties to Iran, recognized by the Iraqi government as a formal security force. The group has carried out attacks against American targets in Iraq and Syria, prompting US responses against Popular Mobilization bases. However, the group halted its offensive against American targets in February.
The attack on the Kalsu base highlights ongoing tensions in the region between the United States and Iranian-backed groups in Iraq. The situation remains volatile, with sporadic attacks and counterattacks, underscoring the complex dynamics at play in the country. This incident also underscores the challenges of maintaining stability in Iraq and the Middle East more broadly as various actors vie for influence and power in the region.