Houthis, Iraqi militias coordinated Saudi attacks from Iraq, officials say

Assessments by Saudi Arabia and regional partners suggest that Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis launched attacks on the kingdom this week from Iraqi territory, in coordination with Iraqi armed groups. This indicates a growing level of cooperation among Iran-aligned militias, according to two regional officials.

These assessments diverge from official accounts and highlight the deepening ties and enhanced capabilities of Iran's so-called Axis of Resistance. This coordination allows them to inflict damage on U.S. allies in the region, even after years of U.S. and Israeli strikes targeting these groups.

The attacks specifically targeted oil facilities in Saudi Arabia's eastern province, the kingdom's primary crude oil hub. In response, Saudi Arabia and the United States carried out joint airstrikes on Wednesday against Iraqi sites they stated were connected to the attacks. While Saudi Arabia officially blamed Iran-aligned Iraqi armed groups, the Houthis have claimed responsibility for the strikes on Saudi Arabia, and Iraq has stated it is investigating.

Officials familiar with the situation confirmed that some of the attacks were jointly executed from Iraqi territory by Iraqi groups and the Houthis, reportedly under the supervision of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Following the Saudi-U.S. strikes, Iran-aligned media reported casualties among IRGC members, Iraqi fighters, and at least one Houthi.

Farea al-Muslimi, a research fellow at Chatham House, noted, "There is now direct training and coordination between members of the Axis of Resistance themselves, not just between them and Iran." Analysts suggest that Iraq is emerging as a crucial hub for Iran's regional network, especially after the fall of Bashar al-Assad in Syria and the weakening of Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Official responses from the Saudi, Iranian, and Iraqi governments, as well as the Houthis, were not immediately available. The Houthis have previously stated their attacks on Saudi Arabia are retaliation for Saudi actions in Yemen and an effort to break a perceived siege, which Saudi Arabia denies.

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There is now direct training and coordination between members of the Axis of Resistance themselves, not just between them and Iran.