Iraqi VP Urges Immediate Probe into US Attack against Popular Forces

Rasa - Iraqi Vice-President Nouri al-Maliki condemned the recent US strikes against Hashd al-Shaabi (popular forces), and urged an immediate probe into the hostile action by Washington troops in his country.

News ID: 431542

Date: 08 August 2017 - 22:35

RNA - "We call for immediate probe and formation of a high committee to stand up to such acts as well as punishment of those who have carried out the attack," Maliki was quoted as saying by the Arabic-language al-Sumeria news website on Tuesday.

He further questioned why the US attacks come at a time when the Iraqi armed and popular forces have embraced major victories against ISIL.

Dozens of Hashd al-Shaabi forces were killed by the US shelling near Iraq’s border with Syria, the group said Tuesday.

In a statement, the Sayed al-Shuhada Brigade said the US artillery attack would “not go unpunished”, and called on the Iraqi government to launch an investigation.

A source within the brigade, a faction of the Hashd al-Shaabi, said a convoy of its fighters was targeted inside Southern Syria across the border from al-Rutba district in Iraq’s Anbar province.

“At least 36 fighters were killed and 80 others injured in the attack,” the source said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to media.

The bodies of those killed in the strike arrived at Baghdad airport late Monday, the source added.

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