U.S. and Saudi Arabia launch joint strikes in Iraq after drone attacks
The U.S. and Saudi Arabia have carried out joint airstrikes against Iran-aligned militias in eastern Iraq after more than 30 drone attacks targeted U.S. forces and Saudi oil facilities, according to officials.
U.S. and Saudi fighter aircraft struck multiple logistics and weapons sites across eastern Iraq on Tuesday. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said the groups were directed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Saudi Arabia said its air defenses intercepted and destroyed several drones on Monday and Tuesday as they attempted to strike oil facilities in the Eastern Province and Riyadh. The ministry said the attacks were launched from Iraqi territory and carried out by militias loyal to Iran.
Iranian-backed channels reported that the strikes targeted the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), but CENTCOM did not identify the groups or sites that were hit.
The PMF, also known as Hashd al-Shaabi, is an umbrella organization of mostly Shiite militias that was formed in 2014 to help fight ISIS. It was later incorporated into Iraq’s state security forces, although some of its most powerful factions are backed by Iran and have close ties to the IRGC.
CENTCOM said more than 30 aerial drone attacks were launched over the previous 72 hours. The attacks against U.S. forces were unsuccessful, but the statement did not say whether Saudi energy facilities were damaged.
“The IRGC and its terrorist proxies must cease these attacks to avoid further U.S. military response,” the command said.
Saudi Arabia said it was not seeking an escalation but would respond to any further aggression.
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
