U.S. President Donald Trump described Iran and Iran-backed armed groups in the region as 'the world's cancer.' In a Fox News interview, Trump used that term and asserted that overnight U.S. and Saudi strikes targeting Iran-backed Shiite militias in Iraq were coordinated with the government in Baghdad.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and the Saudi Ministry of Defense announced they had carried out coordinated precision strikes on multiple logistics and weapons facilities belonging to Iran-backed armed groups in eastern Iraq. The statement said the strikes were in retaliation for more than 30 drone attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure and U.S. military bases in the region over the previous 72 hours.
Iraq reacts, Iran condemns
The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) said at least 20 of its members were killed and 32 wounded in the strikes. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi canceled a planned visit to Saudi Arabia and convened an emergency security meeting in Baghdad.
Iran's Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the joint U.S.-Saudi airstrikes, stressing that they were a clear violation of Iraq's national sovereignty, territorial integrity and international law. Iran claimed the strikes hit government facilities and lodgings for pilgrims attending the Arbaeen mourning ceremony for Imam Hussein.
Gulf states stand with Saudi Arabia
Qatar's Foreign Ministry condemned the drone attacks launched from Iraqi territory against Saudi oil facilities and confirmed its full support for Riyadh. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) described the attacks by armed groups in Iraq against Saudi Arabia as a dangerous escalation and a violation of sovereignty. GCC Secretary General Jasim Mohammed al-Budaiwi stressed that member states stood united behind Saudi Arabia.
Hadi al-Amiri, secretary general of the Badr Organization in Iraq, called the strikes an unjust act of aggression against Iraq's sovereignty and called for a comprehensive review of security ties between Baghdad and Washington.
