UPDATE: PMU Operatives Deny Drones Took Out Militia Leader Shible al Zaydi in Missile Strike on Friday
Earlier on Friday air strikes reportedly targeted high ranking Iran-backed Shi’ite militias near camp Taji north of Baghdad.
But the initial reports were not accurate.
Shiite militia leader Shibl al-Zaydi was not killed in the strike as was previously reported.
Al-Zaydi tweeted after the attack.
Iraq's PMF says air strike targeted medics, not senior leaders:... https://t.co/MSRr5O2sNu— Jacey Jay (@JaceyJay1) January 4, 2020
Shibl Al Zaydi tweets to confirm he is alive: https://t.co/bGhpZiEKiS
More…
The #PMU have released a statement denying reports that senior PMU leaders (Shibl Al-Zaidi, Hamid Al-Jazaeri, Raed Al-Karawi) were killed in the #Taji strike. The statement added that the PMU will conduct an investigation into the attack. pic.twitter.com/BuhDPns0xS— Mohammed (@MazAlJumaily) January 4, 2020
And the US may not have been behind the strikes.
#NEW: An American official who spoke on the condition on anonymity denied the U.S. was behind a reported strike attack on two vehicles north of Baghdad, which killed five people earlier today. (Per @AP)— Jennifer Franco (@jennfranconews) January 4, 2020
The original reports were that al Zaydi was killed in the strikes.
#BREAKING, Shibl al-Zaydi, leader in the #PMU has been confirmed dead after the US conducted another air strike targeting his convoy in #Taji. Two vehicles hit. Developing.— Imam of Peace / Pray for Peace... (@Imamofpeace) January 3, 2020
PRAY FOR PEACE AND READ MY PINNED TWEET. pic.twitter.com/QedP1Vb43j
At least six burned corpses were recovered.
What we know about tonight’s strikes, according to #Iraq’s security forces:— H. Sumeri (@IraqiSecurity) January 3, 2020
• Taji district, north of #Baghdad,
• Convoy of 3 vehicles struck, 2 burned,
• At least 6 burned corpses found,
• Strikes took place at 1:15am local time,
• Hashd leadership targeted. pic.twitter.com/ZW2vLuWAYv
