Iraqi Shia militia says 40 of its fighters killed in Syria in an attack by US forces

A powerful Iraqi Shiite militia says at least 40 of its militiamen have been killed in an attack across the border in Syria.

A powerful Iraqi Shiite militia says at least 40 of its militiamen have been killed in an attack across the border in Syria.

Several Iran-backed Iraqi Shia militias have been fighting in Syria alongside Syrian government troops. (Reuters File Photo)

The deputy head of the militia, which is known as Kattaib Sayeed al-Shuhadaa, blames U.S. forces for the assault.

The spokesman of the U.S.-led coalition, Army Col. Ryan Dillon, dismissed the allegation.

The militia’s Ahmed al-Maksousi says U.S. forces hit their base in Syria’s Jamouna area with artillery early on Monday. The area is about 12 kilometers — around 7.5 miles — from the Iraqi border. He claims that was followed by an on-the-ground attack by the Islamic State group.

Al-Maksousi says that along with 40 killed, at least 30 militiamen were wounded.

Several Iran-backed Iraqi Shiite militias have been fighting in Syria alongside Syrian government troops.