US and Saudi Arabia have carried out coordinated strikes against Iranian-backed groups in Iraq.
Saudi Arabia and the US Central Command (CENTCOM) disclosed that the joint air strikes targeted Iran-backed militias in Iraq responsible for attacks on American troops and Saudi energy insfrastructure. It said it was in retaliation for “30 IRGC-directed” drone attacks in the past 30 days, including on Saudi Arabia’s oil facilities.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence confirmed launching retaliatory attacks against Iran-backed groups in Iraq, saying those strikes were coordinated with the US Central Command.
The Saudi Ministry of Defence said in a statement that the strikes were “in response to recent drone attacks” and that Saudi air defences had “intercepted and destroyed several drones that attempted to target petroleum facilities in the Eastern Province and Riyadh regions…. launched from Iraqi territory and carried out by Iran-aligned terrorist militias.” “The Kingdom emphasises that it does not seek escalation but will respond to any aggression it faces,” it added.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a self-proclaimed resistance armed group backed by Iran, denied any role in the attacks on Saudi Arabia. It said Saudi claims were “fabrications” and that “any foolish Saudi action will be met with a harsh response”.
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry iterated that the US-Saudi strikes on “specific targets” in Iraq were based on the right of “self-defence guaranteed by international law.” The ministry asserted that the strikes were in response to the “reprehensible” drone attacks launched by “Iranian-backed militias in Iraq” targeting the kingdom’s oil facilities.
It noted that while “Saudi Arabia does not seek further escalation, it will not hesitate to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty, citizens, and assets should it face any further attacks.”
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the timing of the drone attacks was really unfortunate, because GCC countries and Jordan had been trying to work collectively to try and de-escalate tensions during this five-day pause in hostilities. However, it said that “Iran-affiliated terrorist militias” chose the “irresponsible escalatory” approach.
Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) armed group said that US and Saudi forces attacked its headquarters across various regions of Iraq, resulting in several casualties and damage to its facilities.
PMF stated that eight of its members were killed in joint Saudi-US strikes on its sites across Iraq, and four others were wounded.
In a statement, the PMF – which is an umbrella group for Iraqi militias backed, trained and loyal to Iran, said the attacks represent a “highly dangerous escalation” and a violation of Iraq’s sovereignty and official security institutions.
It added that relevant authorities are monitoring the situation on the ground while damage assessments and casualty counts remain ongoing.
The issue of the PMF has always been a contentious one between the Iraqi government and the US and other neighbouring countries. Under Iraqi law, the PMF is part of the country’s security forces and reports directly to the Commander-in- chief who is also the Prime Minister.
Previous Iraqi government failed to rein in the power of these armed groups who at times strike US embassy in Baghdad and bases across Iraq at will and refuse government or military orders.
Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis also condemned the US-Saudi attacks on Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Forces. “We consider it a heinous, cowardly, and illegitimate aggression that violates all international laws and charters, and it is a blatant assault on Iraqi sovereignty and an assault on the Iraqi people in all their components and orientations,” the Houthis said in a statement.
Iraq calls emergency meeting after US-Saudi air attacks
Meanwhile, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has called an emergency meeting of the Ministerial Council for National Security today following the deadly US-Saudi attacks on the country overnight.
Al-Zaidi’s office said that a “detailed statement regarding the events and decisions taken” will be released following the meeting
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is expected to travel to Saudi Arabia on Thursday, days after he ordered Iraqi security agencies to investigate the drone attacks on Saudi Arabia.
