Iran Revolutionary Guards commander killed in airport rocket strike: Iraqi TV

Qassem Suleimani, commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Quds Force unit, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy head of the Iran-backed Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), were among those killed in the attack early Friday, al-Iraqiya TV reported.

Rockets hit two vehicles belonging to the PMF, a PMF source and an Iraqi security source told CNN. The head of protocol of the PMF was also killed, a source at the PMF told Iraqiya TV.

Formed in 2014 to fight ISIS, the PMF was recognized under a 2016 Iraqi law as an independent military force that answers directly to the prime minister.

CNN’s Arwa Damon and Kareem Khadder reported from Baghdad. CNN’s Hamdi Alkhshali reported and wrote in Atlanta. CNN’s Steve Almasy contributed to this report.