Three members of Iraq's Shi'ite Popular Mobilisation Forces killed after strike in Baghdad - security sources

Security sources reported that three members of Iraq’s Shi’ite Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) were killed and four others injured in an attack on a military base in Baghdad’s Dora district on March 12, 2026 according to reports. The strike, described as an aerial bombardment, caused significant material damage to military vehicles and infrastructure at the facility, which houses PMF headquarters and other security forces as reported. This incident follows a broader wave of attacks targeting PMF positions across Iraq, including strikes in Anbar and Kirkuk provinces that left at least 35 PMF members dead and 69 injured earlier the same day according to data.

The PMF, a state-sponsored paramilitary group with close ties to Iran, has been a focal point in escalating regional tensions linked to the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran. Recent airstrikes on PMF bases and oil infrastructure in Iraqi waters—such as the attack on two tankers near Basra—have disrupted oil operations, a critical component of Iraq’s economy according to analysis. The suspension of oil terminal activities and damage to tankers could exacerbate supply chain challenges and economic instability in the region as reported.

Iraqi officials, including Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani, have condemned the attacks as violations of sovereignty and threats to national security according to statements. Meanwhile, the U.S. embassy in Baghdad has heightened security measures and issued warnings to American citizens amid rising volatility as the embassy noted. Analysts note that continued instability could deter foreign investment and strain Iraq’s fiscal recovery, particularly as the country relies heavily on oil exports to fund public services and debt obligations according to economic analysis.

The attacks underscore the complex interplay between regional geopolitical conflicts and Iraq’s economic vulnerabilities, with potential ripple effects on global energy markets and regional trade dynamics.