At least 20 militants, including several Iranian advisers, were killed on Wednesday after the United States and Saudi Arabia carried out coordinated airstrikes on targets in Iraq, according to Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), also known as Hashed al-Shaabi.
The US and Saudi governments said the strikes targeted Iran-backed armed groups in retaliation for recent attacks on American troops and Saudi oil facilities.
In a statement, the PMF said at least 20 of its fighters were killed while 32 others sustained injuries in what it described as a preliminary casualty report. Two senior PMF officials also confirmed that five Iranian military advisers were among those killed in an airstrike in Iraq’s Diyala Province.
Funeral ceremonies were held in Baghdad, where AFP journalists reported seeing coffins draped in Iranian flags for those who died in the attacks.
The PMF was established in 2014 to support Iraq’s fight against the Islamic State group before being formally integrated into the country’s security forces. However, several of its factions maintain close ties with Iran and have often operated independently.
US President Donald Trump said the military action was coordinated with the Iraqi government, according to reports by Fox News.
The strikes come amid increasing pressure from Washington on Baghdad to disarm Iran-aligned armed groups accused of repeatedly attacking US military installations and demanding the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq.
Iraq’s Prime Minister, Ali al-Zaidi, who assumed office earlier this year, has pledged to bring all armed groups under state control by requiring them to surrender their weapons. His efforts, however, have faced resistance from influential factions within the country.
Earlier this month, Zaidi held separate visits to both the United States and Iran as part of diplomatic efforts to ease regional tensions.
Iran-Backed Groups Threaten Retaliation
The latest military action followed Saudi Arabia’s announcement that it intercepted drones targeting its oil infrastructure, with Riyadh blaming Iran-backed groups based in Iraq.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an alliance of pro-Iran armed factions, warned that retaliation against the United States was “inevitable” and could also target American interests in Saudi Arabia.
However, the group said any response would be delayed until after the Arbaeen pilgrimage, one of the most significant religious events for Shia Muslims, which concludes next Tuesday.
The alliance denied responsibility for the reported drone attacks on Saudi Arabia and noted that it has not claimed any operations since renewed hostilities between the United States and Iran began earlier this month.
Iraq Condemns Strikes
The Iraqi government condemned the US-Saudi military operation, describing it as a violation of the country’s sovereignty.
In a statement, Iraq’s Ministerial Council for National Security said the government rejects all acts of aggression regardless of who carries them out or the reasons given.
The council also reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that only the state possesses weapons and pledged to prevent Iraqi territory from being used to threaten neighbouring countries.
The government has set a September 30 deadline for armed groups designated as terrorist organisations by the United States to disarm.
Despite progress in recovering from years of conflict, Iraq remains vulnerable to renewed instability as regional tensions continue to spill across its borders.
