- Joint airstrikes conducted by the United States and Saudi Arabia targeted Iran-backed armed groups in Iraq on Wednesday, killing at least 20 fighters, including five Iranian advisors.
- Washington and Riyadh stated the coordinated strikes were launched in direct response to repeated drone attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure and strikes against US forces in the region.
- The Iraqi government denounced the action as a violation of its sovereignty, even as Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi faces increasing pressure to disarm pro-Iran paramilitary groups by September 30.
Coordinated airstrikes launched by the United States and Saudi Arabia targeted pro-Iran armed groups in central Iraq on Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of at least 20 militants and injuring dozens more.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the military action, which took place in Diyala Province and surrounding areas, was carried out in retaliation for recent drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities and ongoing strikes targeting American personnel stationed in the region.
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According to official representatives from the Hashed al-Shaabi, a coalition of Iraqi armed factions integrated into the national military, at least 20 fighters were killed and 32 others sustained injuries.
Senior officials confirmed that five Iranian military advisors were among the deceased, with funeral processions wrapped in Iranian flags taking place in Baghdad shortly after the attack.
US President Donald Trump stated that the strikes were executed in coordination with Iraqi authorities as part of broader efforts to neutralize regional security threats.
However, Iraq’s Ministerial Council for National Security strongly condemned the operation, describing it as an unacceptable breach of national sovereignty while reiterating its commitment to establishing a state monopoly on weapons.
The escalating military confrontations pose a significant challenge for Iraq’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Ali al-Zaidi, who has set a September 30 deadline for designated armed groups to disarm.
Responding to the attack, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq declared that retaliation against American assets and Saudi targets remains inevitable, though they indicated any response would be deferred until after the conclusion of the upcoming Shia religious pilgrimage of Arbaeen.
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