Three airstrikes targeted sites belonging to the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) in the Jurf al-Sakhar area of central Iraq on Sunday night. Local authorities reported that while the strikes were significant, they did not result in any injuries among PMF personnel because the facilities were unoccupied at the time. The media cell for the crisis management in Babil province confirmed that the attacks were conducted by both drone and military aircraft in different locations.

The Popular Mobilization Forces, which operate under the Iraqi government, were established in 2014 to combat the Islamic State following a religious edict issued by cleric Ali al-Sistani. They were formally integrated into the Iraqi military in a resolution made in 2016, showing the vital role they play in Iraq's security framework. The recent strikes are indicative of ongoing tensions in the region, particularly in relation to Iran-backed militia groups and their interactions with Iraqi and foreign military forces.

These attacks come shortly after a separate incident where the U.S. embassy's diplomatic support center at the Baghdad International Airport was targeted. A senior security official noted ongoing evacuation procedures for staff, highlighting the broader implications for security in Iraq as tensions between various military entities and foreign interests continue to escalate. The context of these attacks underlines the volatile state of Iraqi politics and security, complicated further by foreign military presence and internal militia dynamics.