Apparent US-Israeli air strikes hit a headquarters of Iraq’s umbrella group for ​Iran-backed militia and a residence belonging to its leader on ‌Tuesday, an escalation of US-Israeli strikes on one of Tehran’s main regional allies.

Popular Mobilisation Forces leader Falih Al Fayadh was not present when his residence was hit in the northern city of ​Mosul, which he uses only during visits to the city, according to ​two security sources.

At least 15 PMF fighters were killed in the ⁠air strikes that hit a headquarters of the group in Iraq’s Euphrates valley ​province of Anbar, according to the sources and a statement from the group.

The dead ​included the PMF’s operations commander in the province, Saad Al Baiji. Later on Tuesday, a large crowd of angry mourners carried his coffin and portraits through the streets of Baghdad.

The statement said ​US forces had targeted a command headquarters in Anbar while personnel were on ​duty.

The security sources said the strikes there hit during a meeting attended by senior commanders.

Thirty ‌other ⁠people were wounded, security and health sources said.

The health sources said some of the wounded were in critical condition, and the death toll could rise.

The PMF, ​known in Arabic ​as Hashd Al Shaabi, ⁠is an umbrella group of paramilitary factions that was formally integrated into Iraq’s state security forces and includes ​several groups aligned with Iran.

Tehran-backed armed groups have launched attacks on ​US ⁠bases in Iraq and the US embassy since the United States and Israel launched their war on Iran on February 28.