U.S. and Saudi Arabia Launch Airstrikes Against Iran-Backed Groups in Iraq

WASHINGTON/RIYADH – The United States and Saudi Arabia carried out airstrikes late Tuesday against Iran-backed armed groups in eastern Iraq, targeting facilities linked to weapons storage and logistics operations, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said.

CENTCOM said the operation targeted what it described as terrorist weapons and logistics sites in eastern Iraq, following a series of attacks allegedly carried out by Iran-backed groups against U.S. forces and Saudi energy facilities in recent days.

The strikes came amid a five-day pause in U.S. attacks on Iran, as President Donald Trump said he wanted to give diplomacy an opportunity. It remains unclear when, or whether, U.S. strikes against Iran could resume.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense confirmed that its forces participated in the operation, describing the strikes as “precise and targeted” attacks and saying the country was exercising its right to self-defense.

The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), an Iraqi paramilitary umbrella group with close ties to Iran, said at least 20 of its fighters were killed and 32 others wounded in the strikes. The group said its headquarters in Baghdad and six other locations were hit.

CENTCOM said the operation was a response to more than 30 attempted drone attacks targeting U.S. forces and Saudi energy facilities over the past three days. The command said the attacks against U.S. assets were unsuccessful.

Saudi Arabia said it had intercepted drones launched from Iraq that targeted oil facilities in Riyadh and the country’s eastern region.

Although the United States and Saudi Arabia did not identify the groups targeted in the strikes, Iran supports several Shiite militia factions in Iraq that have previously launched rocket attacks against U.S. forces. Some of those groups, including Kata'ib Hezbollah, are designated by Washington as foreign terrorist organizations.

CENTCOM also alleged that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) directed the attacks against U.S. and Saudi interests.

GAROWE ONLINE