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The Saudi Arabian Armed Forces and United States Central Command (U.S. CENTCOM) launch strikes against Iran–backed militias in Iraq in response to Iranian drone attacks against oil
Developing
In Short: In response to Iranian drone attacks, Saudi and U.S. forces launched strikes against Iraqi militias, citing self-defense after intercepting hostile drones targeting oil facilities.
The Saudi Arabian Armed Forces and United States Central Command (U.S. CENTCOM) initiated strikes against Iran-backed militias in Iraq, reacting to more than 30 drone operations carried out by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the past 72 hours, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM).
The Saudi Ministry of Defense confirmed its involvement, stating that the strikes were necessary for self-defense after intercepting hostile drones targeting oil facilities in Riyadh and the Eastern Province.
Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), an umbrella organization of Shiite paramilitary forces integrated into Iraq’s security structure, reported that their headquarters and locations were targeted in the strikes.
These actions come in response to a series of drone attacks by Iran’s IRGC, highlighting the ongoing tensions between Iran and its allies in Iraq and the Saudi Arabian kingdom.
Background
Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, and historically known as Persia, is a country in West Asia. It borders Iraq to the west, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Armenia to the northwest, the Caspian Sea to the north, Turkmenistan to the northeast, Afghanistan to the east, Pakistan to the southeast, and the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf to the south.
Iraq, officially the Republic of Iraq, historically known in the west as Mesopotamia, is a country in West Asia. Located within the Middle East, it is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south, Turkey to the north, Iran to the east, the Persian Gulf and Kuwait to the southeast, Jordan to the southwest, and Syria to the west.
What's confirmed
What's still developing
- The strikes, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM), were an instant response to more than 30 drone operations carried out by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the past 72 hours.
- The Saudi Ministry of Defense confirmed its role, citing self-defense after intercepting hostile drones targeting oil facilities in Riyadh and the Eastern Province.
- Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), an umbrella organization of Shiite paramilitary forces integrated into Iraq’s security structure, said that their headquarters and locations had been targeted.