Kataib Hezbollah announces deaths of three members following strike in Babil

BABIL — Kataib Hezbollah announced Thursday the deaths of three of its members following a strike on a Popular Mobilization Forces vehicle in Babil on Wednesday.

The group identified the killed as commander Ali Hassan al-Furaiji, Haider al-Majidi and Aoun al-Fadhili. Secretary-general Abu Hussein al-Humaidawi said Furaiji had spent more than two decades in what he described as “jihadist work” and had served as a commander within the group. “He created a generation of mujahideen with his own hands, raising them on courage and zeal for the nation of Muhammad,” the statement said. “We pledge to continue the path.”

The announcement follows a series of strikes on PMF positions since the war between the United States, Israel and Iran began Feb. 28. On Monday, the PMF said a U.S. airstrike hit one of its security headquarters in Jurf al-Sakhar north of Babil, killing one member and wounding another. Jurf al-Sakhar was also struck twice on Saturday, killing two and wounding three. On Sunday, a strike hit PMF positions in Akashat in Anbar’s Qaim district, killing two and wounding five.