You’re right that the distinction has fallen through a bit since some of the targets appeared to be PMU sites which were officially recognized as state forces by Iraq in 2016.
I tried searching it and maybe it’s a bit early but when CNN reported on it they weren’t able to verify the number or nature of the casualties other than taking the word of Iraqi sources or officials who claim 16 dead and 25 wounded. One thing that doesn’t seem to be contested is that the means were precision guided projectiles and the targets, 85 in total, were either weapon stockpiles or militant headquarters although I admit it wouldn’t surprise me if the “militant headquarters” were just people’s homes. The USA claims they informed Iraq ahead of the strikes, which lasted a total of 30 minutes, but Iraq refutes this.
From my perspective it looks like the weapons being used were state supplied and kept inside populated areas along the border, and the USA response was to disarm them with minimal casualties, but I don’t want to make any statements with certainty because it’s all a matter of perspective.
You’re right that the distinction has fallen through a bit since some of the targets appeared to be PMU sites which were officially recognized as state forces by Iraq in 2016.
I tried searching it and maybe it’s a bit early but when CNN reported on it they weren’t able to verify the number or nature of the casualties other than taking the word of Iraqi sources or officials who claim 16 dead and 25 wounded. One thing that doesn’t seem to be contested is that the means were precision guided projectiles and the targets, 85 in total, were either weapon stockpiles or militant headquarters although I admit it wouldn’t surprise me if the “militant headquarters” were just people’s homes. The USA claims they informed Iraq ahead of the strikes, which lasted a total of 30 minutes, but Iraq refutes this.
From my perspective it looks like the weapons being used were state supplied and kept inside populated areas along the border, and the USA response was to disarm them with minimal casualties, but I don’t want to make any statements with certainty because it’s all a matter of perspective.