Airstrike in western Anbar kills 7 Iraqi soldiers, wounds 13

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.

The ministry said that it reserved the right to respond ⁠in ​accordance with legal frameworks.