The head of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), Faleh al-Fayyad, vowed retaliation today (Sunday) against the United States for its Friday night attacks on multiple sites in Iraq, stating that these actions "will not go unpunished."
Fayyad declared that the attacks were a direct targeting of the PMF forces, adding, "It is unacceptable for the blood of our sons to be used as a cheap political tool," as reported by the Arab World News Agency.
He called for an end to foreign presence in the country, saying, "The land of Iraq must be cleansed of foreign presence."
On Friday night, the United States conducted airstrikes on several locations in Iraq and Syria, which U.S. President
Joe Biden said were used by Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces and their affiliated armed groups to attack American troops.
The Iraqi government spokesperson, Basim al-Awadi, reported that the attacks resulted in 16 fatalities, including civilians, and injured 25 others. He also denied any prior coordination with Iraqi officials regarding these strikes.