Coalition denies report that airstrike hit Iran-backed paramilitary forces in Iraq

The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) had said that an airstrike killed and wounded several of its forces near northern Baghdad's Taji camp."The Coalition did NOT conduct airstrikes near Camp Taji (north of Baghdad) in recent days," Col. Myles B. Caggins III, spokesman for Operation Inherent Resolve, tweeted. Iraq's Joint Operations Command also denied reports that an airstrike took place. "The Joint Operations Command calls for caution in reporting and spreading rumors especially at this time," it said in a statement Saturday.In a statement, the PMF had said an initial report indicated that the strike targeted a convoy belonging to the medical units for the Popular Mobilization Forces, near Taji Stadium in Baghdad. It was not known who carried out the reported airstrike on Saturday. Iraqi state news also reported a strike against the paramilitary forces.The action comes a day after an airstrike ordered by US President Donald Trump killed a top Iranian commander, Qasem Soleimani, at a Baghdad airport.Trump said Friday that Soleimani was plotting "imminent and sinister attacks" on Americans. Iran called it state terrorism and an unlawful criminal act.SRead More – Source