US-Saudi strikes in Iraq kill 20, including Iranians

A joint U.S.-Saudi military operation in Iraq resulted in the deaths of at least 20 militants, including several Iranian advisors, according to the Hashed al-Shaabi, an influential Iraqi armed alliance with strong ties to Iran. The strikes targeted Iran-backed armed groups operating within Iraq, which the U.S. and Saudi Arabia accuse of launching attacks against U.S. forces and Saudi oil facilities.

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Two Hashed officials told AFP that five Iranian advisors were among those killed in a strike in the central province of Diyala.

The airstrikes underscore the volatile geopolitical dynamics in Iraq, a country caught between its main allies, Washington and Tehran. The Hashed al-Shaabi, also known as the Popular Mobilisation Forces, reported that 32 fighters were wounded in addition to the fatalities. The alliance, initially formed to combat ISIS, now includes numerous Iran-backed brigades that have been accused of acting independently.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated the strikes were coordinated with the Iraqi government. This action follows increasing U.S. pressure on Baghdad to disarm the pro-Iran militias that frequently target U.S. installations and advocate for the withdrawal of American troops. Iraq's Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, who came to power this year with U.S. support, has vowed to disarm these groups but faces resistance from powerful factions.

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our response to the American enemy is inevitable, and may target its tools in Saudi Arabia

Iraq officially denounced the U.S.-Saudi strikes, asserting its rejection of any violation of its sovereignty. Meanwhile, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a prominent pro-Iran armed group, has vowed an "inevitable" response against the "American enemy" and its tools in Saudi Arabia, though they indicated retaliation would occur after the significant Shia Muslim pilgrimage of Arbaeen. The group denied attacking Saudi Arabia and has not claimed responsibility for any attacks since the resumption of tensions between the U.S. and Iran.

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Iraq denounced the US-Saudi strikes and said it rejects “a violation of its sovereignty.