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On June 24, deputy leader of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis accused the US-led coalition of carrying out infamous airstrike on a position of the PMU near the Syrian city of al-Bukamal on June 18. Beck then, more than 30 fighters of PMU were killed.

Al-Muhandis revealed that an investigation committee formed by the PMU visited the site of the attack and was able to confirm that a US-made missile was used to target the PMU fighters. The deputy leader of the PMU said that the missile was “clearly” launched by the U.S.

“The strike was carried out with a missile and we still have the remnants of that missile,” al-Muhandis said, during a press conference in the Iraqi capital of Baghdadi.

The results of the PMU investigation contradicts to the claims of an unnamed U.S. officials who told the CNN TV on June 18 that the airstrike was carried out by the Israeli Air Force (IAF). The official didn’t explain back then how the IAF was able to reach al-Bukamal without coordinating with the US-led coalition, which is operating there.

During the press conference, al-Muhandis also criticized the Iraqi Military Joint Operation Command for their “hasty and confused” statement on the incident, in which they claimed that the PMU don’t have any units near al-Bukamal.

Furthermore, al-Muhandis confirmed that the Joint Operation Command and the US-led coalition were informed ahead that a unit of the PMU was stationed in al-Bukamal. According to al-Muhandis, the Joint Operation Command even asked the PMU to keep the unit there during the last meeting between the two sides.

“The crime is considered a war crime and we are waiting for the government to defend the rights of these martyrs,” al-Muhandis said at the end of the press conference.

The PMU has not made any threats against the US-led coalition yet. However, the Iraqi force may take action against the coalition inside Iraq if the Iraqi government continues to follow the U.S. narrative.

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