Adedokun Waliyu 
At least 20 militants, including several Iranian advisers, were killed in joint United States and Saudi Arabian airstrikes targeting Iran-backed armed groups in Iraq.
According to the Hashed al-Shaabi, also known as the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), the strikes also left 32 others injured. Two PMF officials said five Iranian advisers were among those killed in an attack in Iraq’s central Diyala Province.
The United States and Saudi Arabia said the strikes were carried out in response to recent attacks on US military forces and Saudi oil facilities, which they blamed on Iran-backed militants operating in Iraq.
The PMF, established in 2014 to fight jihadist groups before being integrated into the Iraqi armed forces, includes several Iran-backed brigades that often operate independently.
US President Donald Trump said the operation was coordinated with the Iraqi government. The strikes come amid increasing pressure from Washington on Baghdad to disarm pro-Iran armed groups that have repeatedly targeted US military installations and demanded the withdrawal of American troops.
Iraq’s Prime Minister, Ali al-Zaidi, who assumed office earlier this year, has pledged to disarm the armed groups but has faced resistance from influential factions. Earlier this month, he held separate meetings with leaders in both the United States and Iran.
Militants Threaten Retaliation
Following the strikes, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an alliance of pro-Iran armed groups, declared that retaliation against the United States was “inevitable” and warned that it could also target American interests in Saudi Arabia.
However, the group said any response would take place after the Arbaeen pilgrimage, one of the most important events in the Shia Muslim calendar.
The militants denied responsibility for the alleged drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities and have not claimed any attacks since the recent resumption of hostilities between the United States and Iran.
Iraq Condemns the Airstrikes
The Iraqi government condemned the joint US-Saudi operation, describing it as a violation of Iraq’s sovereignty.
Iraq’s Ministerial Council for National Security said it rejected all acts of aggression regardless of who carried them out and vowed to prevent Iraqi territory from being used to threaten neighbouring countries.
The government also reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that only the state controls weapons and has given armed groups designated as terrorist organisations by the United States until September 30 to surrender their weapons.
The latest developments highlight growing tensions in the Middle East and raise concerns over the possibility of further escalation involving Iraq, Iran, the United States, and Saudi Arabia.
