Airstrike in western Anbar kills seven Iraqi soldiers, wounds 13

PHOTO CAPTION: Illustrative file photo — A member of Iraqi security forces is seen at Ain al-Asad airbase in the Anbar province, Iraq, Dec. 29, 2019. (REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani)

BAGHDAD - Seven Iraqi soldiers were killed and 13 others wounded in an airstrike on a site belonging to Iraq's Shi'ite Popular Mobilization Forces near an army medical centre in western Anbar, security sources and the defence ministry said on Wednesday.

The ministry said the strike, which took place at around 0900 local time, hit a military clinic and a nearby engineering unit. Rescue teams were still searching the site for possible additional casualties.

The ministry condemned the strike as a "blatant and serious violation" of international laws and norms prohibiting attacks on medical facilities and personnel, describing it as a dangerous escalation and calling for those responsible to be held accountable.

It reserved the right to respond in accordance with legal frameworks, the ministry said.

(Reporting by Ahmed Rasheed; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Arun Koyyur // REUTERS)

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