A scene from the symbolic funeral procession held by the Popular Mobilization Forces in Baghdad to mark the anniversary of the 2019 al-Qaim airstrike. (Photo: 964media)
PMF holds symbolic funeral procession in Baghdad to mark al-Qaim airstrike anniversary
BAGHDAD — The Popular Mobilization Forces held a symbolic funeral procession in Baghdad on Friday to commemorate victims of the U.S. airstrike that struck PMF camps in al-Qaim, Anbar, in December 2019, with symbolic coffins carried as families of those killed, clerics and PMF personnel attended.
According to the PMF media office, “The activities will continue for a full month and include various events.”
The 2019 strike killed 25 PMF members and injured 51 others. At the time, the U.S. Department of Defense said it carried out defensive strikes on five targets in Iraq and Syria in response to earlier attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq.
Mohannad al-Aqabi, director of PMF media, said the procession was part of the “Martyrs of al-Qaim” program. “This symbolic funeral honors the heroes of al-Qaim who were martyred on the Iraqi border defending the country’s land and safeguarding its security,” he told 964media.
Al-Aqabi said the event drew “the martyrs’ families, clerics, and security and PMF leaders,” describing it as part of an annual program held for the past six years.
Ahmed Abbas, director of the PMF’s service and engineering effort, said, “Today we remember the heroic martyrs who attained the honor of martyrdom following the brutal attack on the PMF’s bases,” and affirmed the continuation of related events this week.
Kawthar Rakan, head of the cultural department at the PMF media directorate, said, “This anniversary renews our pledge to the blood of the martyrs who were bombed,” emphasizing “loyalty to their sacrifices and adherence to their path.”