Shi’ite Islamic militia groups in Iraq have reported at least 16 deaths on February 4 as the US continues to strike key positions, Iraqi media reported.

The US and Israel have increased their targeting of key allies of Iran in Syria and Iraq over the western weekend in response to attacks on US service personnel on the Syrian-Jordanian border.

A battalion commander in one of the several groups was reportedly killed in the strikes on Iraq, local media reported.

On February 4, Iraqi Prime Minister Shiaa al-Sudani visited people injured in the US strikes on the country as his office described it as “American aggression.”

“Prime Minister Muhammad Shia’ al-Sudani conducted, this morning, a visit to Al-Hussein Military Hospital in Baghdad, in which he inspected the wounded and injured, both civilians and military personnel, in the recent American attack on the Akashat and Al-Qaim regions, on the night of 2-3 of this February.” 

“Al-Sudani followed up on the medical service and treatment procedures provided to the injured and directed that full care be given and all treatment requirements be provided, wishing them a speedy recovery.”

The Iraqi government in Baghdad has been left on the sidelines of events happening within its territory in recent weeks, as Iranian-backed groups, not aligned with the government but with Tehran, have come under increasing attack from US air raids.

Britain’s Royal Navy and the US Navy have also targeted 36 Houthi targets in Yemen on February 4, increasing pressure on the group that has caused havoc in the Red Sea with multiple rocket attacks close to container ships.

US Central Command said its forces had conducted an extra strike on February 4 “in self-defence against a Houthi anti-ship cruise missile prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea”.