In a recent development, the US military conducted an airstrike in Iraq, targeting a high-ranking commander of Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba, an Iranian proxy group responsible for attacks on American forces in the Middle East. The precision strike, which took place in Baghdad, resulted in the death of Mushtaq Taleb al-Saidi, also known as "Abu Taqwa." Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba is a US-designated terrorist organization based in Iraq and backed by Tehran.

The Popular Mobilization Force (PMF), a coalition of Iran-backed militias nominally under the control of the Iraqi military, confirmed al-Saidi's death in a statement, condemning it as "brutal American aggression." The PMF is believed to be responsible for numerous drone and missile strikes on facilities housing American troops in Syria and Iraq since October 17, shortly after the Israel-Hamas war began. While most injuries sustained by American troops have been minor, these attacks have caused dozens of casualties.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder, a Pentagon spokesman, stated that al-Saidi was actively involved in planning and executing attacks against American personnel. He emphasized the US military's right to self-defense and the necessity of protecting its personnel. Another individual described as an “associate” of al-Saidi was also killed in the strike, and five others were wounded.

However, this airstrike could potentially strain the US military's relationship with Iraq. It comes just a week after Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who is backed by Iran-linked political factions, expressed his intention to end the presence of international coalition forces in Iraq. Following the Iraq War, coalition forces remained in the country at the invitation of the Iraqi government to assist in countering ISIS. Despite losing its self-proclaimed “caliphate” territory in 2017, ISIS continues to launch periodic attacks in Iraq.

The Iraqi Army blamed the International Coalition Forces for the "unprovoked attack on an Iraqi security body" and accused them of violating the powers granted to them by Iraq's Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. The strike on al-Saidi further exacerbates the tensions in the region, which have been heightened by the ongoing Israel-Hamas war and concerns about its spillover effects.

This is the second time in less than two weeks that the US has targeted Iranian-backed targets in Iraq. On Christmas Day, President Biden ordered retaliatory strikes after three US soldiers were wounded in a drone attack by Iran-backed terrorists at an American base. Additionally, just two days ago, a suspected Israeli drone strike in the suburbs of Beirut killed Hamas deputy leader Saleh Arouri.

The airstrike on Thursday targeted the logistical support headquarters of an Iran-backed militia in central Baghdad. The PMF, primarily composed of Iranian-backed Shiite militias, played a crucial role in the fight against ISIS after the group overran parts of Iraq in 2014. While officially under the command of the Iraqi army, the militias operate independently in practice.

According to two militia officials who spoke on condition of anonymity, Thursday's strike killed two people and injured five. Al-Saidi and another militia official were driving into the garage of the headquarters affiliated with the al-Nujaba militia, a member of the PMF when their vehicle was hit.

The Iraqi government has condemned the airstrike as a "dangerous escalation" and emphasized its right to take necessary measures to protect its territory and security forces. The US-led coalition's primary mission in Iraq is to combat ISIS, and it has transitioned from a combat role to an advisory and training mission.

The involvement of Israel in the strike remains uncertain, with an Israeli military spokesperson declining to comment on the matter. However, the strike is likely to intensify calls for the US to withdraw its forces from Iraq.