The United States and Saudi Arabia carried out airstrikes in Iraq overnight Wednesday that killed at least 24 members of Iran-backed groups [1, 2].
The joint operation marks a significant escalation in regional tensions, targeting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) within Iraqi borders.
Reports indicate the strikes killed 20 PMF members [1] and four IRGC personnel [2]. Additionally, 32 people were wounded during the attacks [3]. The strikes targeted territories where Iran-aligned militias are stationed, though specific locations were not disclosed [4].
Iraq's government reacted to the operations. An Iraq National Security Council spokesperson said, "These attacks are a blatant violation of Iraq's sovereignty" [1]. The Iraqi Presidency further emphasized the nation's resolve, with the president saying, "We will continue to defend Iraq against any aggression" [2].
The PMF also issued a statement regarding the casualties. A PMF spokesperson said, "The loss of 20 of our brave fighters is a tragic blow to the Popular Mobilisation Forces" [3].
U.S. and Saudi officials have previously identified these Iran-aligned militias as threats to regional stability [5]. The strikes follow a pattern of renewed IRGC attacks on U.S. forces in the region [5]. While the U.S. and Saudi Arabia viewed the operation as a necessary security measure, the Iraqi government maintains the strikes were an unauthorized breach of its national territory [1].
“"These attacks are a blatant violation of Iraq's sovereignty."”
This joint military action demonstrates a coordinated effort between Washington and Riyadh to degrade Iranian influence in Iraq. By targeting both the IRGC—a direct arm of the Iranian state—and the PMF—a paramilitary umbrella—the U.S. and Saudi Arabia are signaling a low tolerance for militia activity. However, the strong condemnation from Baghdad suggests a growing friction between Iraq's desire for sovereignty and its role as a battlefield for proxy conflicts between global and regional powers.
