US-Saudi joint strikes on Iran-backed militias are a milestone in cooperation
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
Analysis
Named sources
New plan
- US and Saudi forces conducted precision strikes in Iraq against Iran-backed terrorists who had been targeting Saudi Arabia.
- The strikes targeted logistics and weapons sites across eastern Iraq in response to over 30 IRGC-directed drone attacks in the last 72 hours.
- The joint operation signals Saudi Arabia's resolve to no longer tolerate attacks, backed by US military support, aiming to deter further aggression from Iran and its proxies.
In a significant display of coordinated defense, US and Saudi forces have carried out precision strikes in Iraq targeting Iran-backed terrorists. These actions come in direct response to a recent surge in attacks launched by these militias against Saudi Arabia over the past several days, extending a pattern of aggression that has persisted since 2019.
US Central Command said that American forces and “the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces conducted precision strikes in Iraq, July 28, against Iran-aligned terrorists that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) directed to attack US forces and Saudi energy infrastructure.”
US Central Command reported that American and Saudi aircraft struck multiple logistics and weapons sites across eastern Iraq. This operation was a strong response to over 30 IRGC-directed aerial drone attacks within the preceding 72 hours. The joint effort underscores a clear message from Riyadh, with US backing, that it will no longer tolerate such provocations and intends to deter further aggression.
The timing of these strikes is notable, occurring in the wake of the US pausing its own strikes on Iran earlier this month. Iran appears to have mobilized its militias to attack Saudi Arabia, potentially aiming to create a two-front war. This strategy follows recent escalations, including Iran increasing support for the Houthis in Yemen, who subsequently announced a naval blockade targeting Saudi Arabia and initiated attacks on Red Sea shipping.
American and Saudi aircraft “struck multiple terrorist logistics and weapons sites across eastern Iraq in a strong response to over 30 IRGC-directed aerial drone attacks in the last 72 hours.”
US Central Command emphasized that Iran-aligned terrorist militias in Iraq have attempted over 600 attacks on US citizens and facilities between February and April 2026. The command issued a stern warning: "The IRGC and its terrorist proxies must cease these attacks to avoid further US military response." The militias have also targeted other countries in the region, including Jordan and Kuwait, and recently increased attacks on Erbil in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
The IRGC and its terrorist proxies must cease these attacks to avoid further US military response.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
More Stories
From Our Blog
What Gets Lost (and Found) When News Is Translated
The Critical Role of Diaspora Media in Global News
What Travellers Should Know About Countries with Restricted Press
A Digital Nomad's Guide to Following Local News
How the Same Story Looks Different in Different Countries
