HIGHMILITARY

Three airstrikes and drone strikes hit PMF positions south of Baghdad — positions deserted, no casualties

2026-03-22 · 18:00 UTC·South of Baghdad, Iraq

Three strikes targeted Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) positions south of Baghdad on Day 23, a local emergency crisis cell confirmed. The strikes used drones and aircraft and hit three separate locations. PMF positions were deserted at time of strikes; no casualties reported. The strikes follow the 8-attack PMF campaign against the US Victory Base Complex at Baghdad International Airport earlier on Day 23.

Three strikes targeted PMF (Hashed al-Shaabi / Popular Mobilization Forces) positions south of Baghdad on Day 23. DETAILS: - Method: drone strikes and airstrikes - Locations: three separate positions south of Baghdad - Casualties: none — positions deserted at time of strike - Attribution: unconfirmed; no official claim CONTEXT: The PMF launched 8 rocket/drone attacks against the US Victory Base Complex at Baghdad International Airport earlier on Day 23 — the highest single-night tempo in the conflict. These retaliatory strikes appear to be a direct response. The PMF is formally part of Iraq's armed forces but includes strongly pro-Iranian factions under IRGC direction. Iraq's government faces pressure from both Washington and Tehran as strikes and counter-strikes escalate on Iraqi territory.

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Actor responses

USSUPPORTINGMILITARY

No official US claim for the strikes. Consistent with CENTCOM doctrine of responding to attacks on US forces with strikes against the attacking group's infrastructure. Positions were deserted — no casualties.

IRGCOPPOSINGMILITARY

No immediate PMF or IRGC response to the Baghdad strikes. PMF positions had been evacuated before the strikes — indicating advance warning or standard dispersal protocol after the airport attacks.

Sources

T2Local emergency crisis cell via Times of Israel liveblog — three strikes on PMF south of Baghdad75% reliability