US and Saudi Arabia Strike Iran-Backed Militia Targets in Iraq After Drone Onslaught
The United States and Saudi Arabia conducted joint airstrikes on Tuesday against sites in eastern Iraq used by Iran-backed militias, the U.S. military said, responding to a wave of drone attacks targeting the region.
In a statement, U.S. Central Command said: “US and Saudi fighter aircraft struck multiple terrorist logistics and weapons sites across eastern Iraq in a strong response to over 30 IRGC-directed aerial drone attacks in the last 72 hours.” The IRGC refers to Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The statement added that the Revolutionary Guard “and its terrorist proxies must cease these attacks to avoid further US military response.”
Saudi Arabia separately reported that it had shot down drones fired by Iran-backed militias in Iraq for a second consecutive day. The drones were attempting to target petroleum facilities in the country’s eastern region, according to Saudi officials.
The strikes mark a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between Iran-backed forces and the U.S.-Saudi coalition in West Asia. The U.S. military has blamed Iran-backed groups for a series of attacks on American and allied forces in recent months.
No immediate casualties were reported from the airstrikes, and it remains unclear whether the targeted sites were fully destroyed. The Iraqi government has not yet commented on the operation.
