US and Saudi forces launched coordinated airstrikes in Iraq targeting Iran-backed militias, killing at least 20 people, including Iranians, according to reports. The strikes hit bases of the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), an Iran-backed umbrella group, in retaliation for recent attacks on US forces and Saudi oil facilities.
Saudi Arabia’s defense ministry said the strikes were a response to attacks on its oil infrastructure earlier this week. The United States also confirmed involvement, citing the need to protect its personnel. The PMF has not yet commented on the casualties.
The operation marks a significant escalation in the region, drawing Saudi Arabia directly into the ongoing confrontation between the US and Iran. Iraq has been a frequent battleground for proxy conflicts, with Iran-backed militias operating freely in some areas.
Al Jazeera reported that videos from the aftermath showed destroyed military compounds. The New York Times noted that Saudi Arabia’s entry into the conflict with strikes on Iraqi soil signals a widening of hostilities beyond US-Iran tensions.