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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Conflict & Security

US-Saudi Airstrikes Kill 20 Iraqi Militiamen; Both Sides Cite Attacks

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • An Iraqi militia group, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), reported that at least 20 of its fighters were killed and 32 injured in joint US-Saudi airstrikes.
  • The strikes targeted PMF headquarters across several Iraqi provinces, causing significant damage to facilities and equipment.
  • The US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated the operations targeted groups allied with Iran involved in attacks on US forces and Saudi energy infrastructure, while Saudi Arabia cited self-defense under the UN Charter.

The Iraqi militia group, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), announced that at least 20 of its fighters died and 32 were wounded in overnight joint airstrikes conducted by the United States and Saudi Arabia. The coordinated attacks targeted PMF headquarters across multiple Iraqi provinces, resulting in severe damage to their bases, military vehicles, and equipment.

at least 20 milisi tewas dan 32 lainnya terluka.

— Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF)Reporting the casualties from the joint US-Saudi airstrikes.

According to a statement broadcast by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), the PMF reported that their facilities in Baghdad, Wasit, Nineveh, Basra, Kirkuk, Karbala, and Diyala provinces were hit. A special committee has been formed to conduct a thorough assessment of the damage caused by the strikes.

The PMF's statement followed an announcement by the US Central Command (CENTCOM), which confirmed that US and Saudi forces launched precision strikes against Iran-aligned groups in Iraq. CENTCOM stated that the operations were aimed at locations associated with attacks on US forces and Saudi energy infrastructure.

the operations targeted locations associated with attacks on US forces and Saudi energy infrastructure.

— CENTCOMExplaining the US military's rationale for the strikes.

Saudi Arabia, in its own statement, asserted that the strikes were an act of self-defense, referencing Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. The Saudi Foreign Ministry indicated that the operation targeted specific locations in Iraq linked to attacks on the kingdom's oil facilities. The ministry accused Iran-backed groups in Iraq of adopting an "irresponsible and escalatory approach" despite Saudi Arabia's efforts to de-escalate regional tensions.

the strikes were an act of self-defense, referencing Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.

— Saudi ArabiaJustifying the military action under international law.

While emphasizing that the kingdom does not seek further escalation, Saudi Arabia warned that it "will not hesitate to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty and its citizens and assets" if further attacks occur. The Saudi Ministry of Defense reiterated that the joint operation with the United States was a response to attacks originating from Iraqi territory targeting Saudi oil facilities.

Iran-backed groups in Iraq of adopting an 'irresponsible and escalatory approach' despite Saudi Arabia's efforts to de-escalate regional tensions.

— Saudi Foreign MinistryAccusing Iran-backed groups of destabilizing actions.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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