Iraq: 20 Killed in US-Saudi Strikes, PMF Condemns Sovereignty Breach

At least 20 members of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), an alliance of former paramilitary groups now integrated into the Iraqi armed forces, were killed in United States and Saudi Arabian airstrikes on Wednesday, the PMF said.

The strikes targeted PMF bases in seven Iraqi provinces, according to a PMF statement. The alliance said at least 20 fighters were killed and 32 others wounded in what it described as a “preliminary toll”.

The United States and Saudi Arabia said the strikes were in response to attacks on US forces and Saudi oil facilities, which they blamed on Iran-backed militants in Iraq.

In a statement, the PMF called the strikes a “dangerous escalation, a violation of Iraq’s sovereignty, and an attack on its official security institutions”.

The PMF was formed in 2014 to fight jihadists and has since been integrated into the Iraqi military structure. However, many of its constituent groups, particularly those backed by Iran, have operated independently.

Tensions have been high since the US and Saudi Arabia accused Iran-backed groups of launching drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities. Those groups have denied the allegations and warned against any strikes on Iraqi soil.

The most active pro-Iran armed groups are united under the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, which has claimed hundreds of attacks against US bases in the region since the onset of the West Asia war. However, they have not claimed any attacks since hostilities between the US and Iran resumed earlier this month.

Iraq has long been a battleground for the rivalry between the United States and Iran, both of which are key allies of the country. The new Prime Minister, Ali al-Zaidi, who came to power this year with US backing, has vowed to disarm pro-Iran groups but has faced resistance from powerful factions.

The airstrikes come as Zaidi attempts to balance Iraq’s relationships with Washington and Tehran. Earlier this month, he visited both capitals.