Baghdad, Iraq – A joint security checkpoint manned by Iraqi Army and Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) personnel was targeted by a surprise airstrike in Nineveh province on Tuesday morning. The attack triggered a security alert in the area. Our correspondent in Nineveh reported that the airstrike targeted a security checkpoint located within the geographical boundaries of the village of Balawat, in the Nimrud district. This village lies southeast of Mosul. According to initial reports, the airstrike occurred while the joint forces were carrying out their routine duties, securing the strategic road connecting the area to its surroundings.
The reporter added that the extent of human and material losses is still unknown, as rescue teams and supporting forces are still facing difficulties in accurately reaching the target. This is due to the continued presence of warplanes in the area. This situation has imposed a tight security cordon, preventing civilians and media crews from approaching the site. Initial information from field sources indicates that the strike was precise. Therefore, it is likely that sophisticated weapons were used to target the location. While reports conflict regarding the identity of the attacking aircraft, security leaders in Nineveh remain silent. They are awaiting the completion of field investigations and the submission of military assessment reports from the ground.
The Nimrud district is considered a sensitive area due to its strategic location and its proximity to areas where sleeper cells are active. This makes this attack a significant shift in the security landscape of Nineveh Governorate. Local officials pledged to provide updates as soon as precise details become available regarding the nature of the attack and the party responsible. A state of high alert remains in effect among the units deployed on the southeastern axis of Mosul. This is in anticipation of any further escalation that may occur in the coming hours given the current situation.
