**Title: Saudis Join US Strikes Against Iran-Aligned Militias in Iraq**
In a coordinated military operation, American and Saudi warplanes have conducted joint airstrikes targeting alleged Iran-aligned militia sites in eastern Iraq, as confirmed by the US Central Command (CENTCOM). The strikes, which took place on July 28, aimed at logistics and weapons facilities purportedly utilized by groups directed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
According to CENTCOM, the operation was initiated in response to a series of drone attacks allegedly orchestrated by the IRGC. Over a span of 72 hours leading up to the strikes, more than 30 drone attacks were reported, although US officials stated that these attempts on American forces were unsuccessful. The US has not provided specific evidence linking the targeted Iraqi groups to the drone attacks nor disclosed their identities.
Footage circulating on social media purportedly shows the aftermath of an airstrike on a base associated with the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) in Wasit province. Additionally, Iraqi media reported multiple explosions in the Al-Deir and Al-Haritha areas of southern Basra province. However, details regarding the extent of the damage and any potential casualties remain unclear.
This joint operation occurs within a broader context of escalating tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran-aligned forces across the region. Recently, a Saudi-led coalition struck alleged Houthi military positions in Yemen's Hodeidah Governorate after the group attacked Saudi-owned vessels in the Red Sea and announced a naval blockade against the kingdom. Following these strikes, the industrial city of Jazan in Saudi Arabia reportedly came under attack, with a large fire breaking out at a facility operated by the state-owned oil company Aramco. The Houthis claimed responsibility for attacks on two Saudi tankers, one of which caught fire while the other sustained minor damage.
Saudi Arabia has been engaged in a military intervention in Yemen since 2015, aimed at countering the Houthi movement, which had seized control of the capital, Sanaa. The prolonged conflict has exacerbated Yemen's humanitarian crisis, with the bombing campaign failing to achieve its objectives against the Houthi forces.
The airstrikes in Iraq also follow recent statements from Iraqi National Security Adviser Qasim al-Aboudi, who claimed that several militant cells had been dismantled, with members allegedly confessing to working for Ukraine and conducting false-flag operations. However, he did not specify the locations of these facilities or link the detainees to any attacks on Saudi Arabia. The Ukrainian government has dismissed these accusations as "unfounded and unsubstantiated."
In response to the ongoing tensions, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella organization representing several Iran-aligned groups, denied involvement in the recent drone attacks against Saudi Arabia. They accused Riyadh of attempting to divert attention from the Houthi attacks and warned that military actions against Iraqi factions could provoke retaliation.
The situation remains fluid as both regional and international stakeholders navigate the complexities of military engagements and diplomatic relations in the Middle East. As tensions continue to rise, the implications of these joint operations and the responses from the involved parties will be closely monitored by the international community.