**Title: US-Saudi Strikes on Iran-Aligned Militias in Iraq Spark Political Backlash**
Joint military strikes conducted by the United States and Saudi Arabia targeting alleged Iran-aligned militia positions in Iraq have ignited significant political controversy. The Iraqi government has condemned these actions as a violation of its sovereignty, with the strikes reportedly affecting the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) across seven provinces.
According to Iraqi officials, the strikes resulted in the deaths of at least 20 PMF members and left 32 others injured. The PMF, which is an umbrella organization of various militias, is officially integrated into Iraq's security framework, complicating the narrative surrounding the strikes. RT correspondent Ali Rida Sbeity, reporting from the ground, emphasized that the attacks are perceived not merely as assaults on armed factions but as direct assaults on state institutions.
The backdrop to these strikes includes a recent drone attack on Saudi oil facilities, which the US and Saudi Arabia have attributed to Iranian-linked militants. However, this claim has been denied by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, further complicating the regional dynamics.
Tensions escalated following comments from US President Donald Trump, who asserted that the strikes were coordinated with Iraqi authorities. This statement contrasts sharply with the Iraqi government's public stance, which has characterized the strikes as an infringement on its sovereignty. Sbeity noted that this discrepancy highlights the complexities of Iraq's political landscape amid external military interventions.
The situation has evolved against a backdrop of heightened tensions between the US and Iran. Earlier in the week, Iran had launched missiles at US military installations in Jordan, marking its first regional attack since a period of relative calm. This escalation has raised concerns about a broader confrontation involving Iraq, which has sought to maintain a neutral position amidst rising regional hostilities.
Former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Hossein Kanani Moghaddam, warned that the US-Saudi strikes could provoke a coordinated response from Iran and its allies in the region. He stated, “An attack on Iraq is considered an attack on Iran due to the strategic bond between Iran and Iraq,” highlighting the intertwined nature of the two nations’ security interests.
In Saudi Arabia, Ahmed Al-Shahri, head of the Saudi Experience Forum, described the attacks on the kingdom's strategic infrastructure as crossing a "red line," suggesting a strong resolve to respond to perceived threats.
As the situation develops, Iraq finds itself at the center of a wider regional confrontation, a position that its government has consistently sought to avoid. The strikes have reignited debates about sovereignty, security, and the influence of foreign powers in Iraq's internal affairs.
The international community is closely monitoring the situation, as further escalations could have significant implications for regional stability. The Iraqi government’s response, as well as the potential for retaliation from Iran and its allied groups, will be critical in shaping the next phase of this unfolding crisis.