An airstrike hit two vehicles carrying Iran-backed militia near Baghdad, according to an Iraqi official.
The official said five members of the militia were killed, according to the Associated Press. The Popular Mobilization Forces said one of its medical convoys had been hit but none of its top leaders were killed. A U.S. official said the American military did not carry out the strike.
The airstrike happened a day after the United States killed Iranian military leader Qassem Soleimani in a targeted drone strike in Baghdad. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei promised “severe revenge” for his top general’s death.
The U.S. said Friday it was sending nearly 3,000 more troops to the Middle East amid concerns about the potential for retaliation.
President Trump said he ordered the strike taking out Soleimani to prevent an escalation in the tensions between the two countries.
“We took action last night to stop a war. We did not take action to start a war,” Trump said, adding that he is not seeking regime change in Iran.
