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The United States and Saudi Arabia have carried out joint strikes against Iran-backed militant bases in Iraq, responding to recent attacks targeting US forces and Saudi oil infrastructure. The coordinated action resulted in the deaths of at least 10 members of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), an Iraqi paramilitary alliance also known as Hashed al-Shaabi. Two alliance sources reported the casualties, with one indicating the death toll could increase. The PMF confirmed that the strikes caused fatalities, injuries, and material damage to several locations across different provinces, with Nineveh province experiencing the deadliest attack.

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These attacks resulted in the martyrdom of a number of personnel and injuries to others, as well as material damage to several buildings and properties

The PMF, an alliance formed in 2014 to combat jihadists and now integrated into the Iraqi armed forces, stated that the US-Saudi strikes represent a "dangerous escalation" and a violation of Iraq's sovereignty. While the alliance includes Iran-backed factions, many operate independently. These groups have been linked to hundreds of attacks against US bases in Iraq and the region, though they have not claimed responsibility for recent hostilities.

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across several provinces, with the deadliest attack in Nineveh province, where at least 10 members were martyred

The strikes follow Saudi Arabia's announcement of intercepting drones aimed at oil facilities in its eastern region, for which Riyadh blamed Iran-backed groups in Iraq. However, these groups have dismissed the accusations as "fabrications." Iraq, a key ally to both Washington and Tehran, frequently finds itself a proxy battleground for their escalating tensions. The country's Prime Minister, Ali al-Zaidi, who assumed office this year with US support, has pledged to disarm pro-Iran armed groups but faces internal resistance.

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a dangerous escalation, a violation of Iraq's sovereignty, and an attack on its official security institutions