Saudi Arabia, US carry out strikes on Iran-backed groups in Iraq
Saudi Arabia and the US conducted joint airstrikes against Iran-backed militias in Iraq following drone attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure. The strikes resulted in casualties among the Popular Mobilisation Forces, who condemned the action as a violation of Iraqi sovereignty.
Why it matters
This military escalation marks a significant development in Middle Eastern geopolitical tensions and the ongoing conflict involving US, Saudi, and Iranian-aligned forces.
Riyadh says its targeted attacks were done in coordination with the US military.
x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info A screengrab taken on July 25, 2026, from an undated UGC video posted on social media, and verified by AFPTV, shows clouds of smoke rising after strikes on the Saudi Aramco refinery in Jizan [AFP] By Al Jazeera Staff and Reuters Published On 29 Jul 2026 29 Jul 2026 Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) has said at least 20 of its members were killed and 32 wounded in joint Saudi-US strikes on its sites across the country.
Saudi Arabia and the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said early Wednesday that joint air strikes targeted Iran-backed militias in Iraq responsible for attacks on American troops and Saudi energy insfrastructure.
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