Saudi-U.S. Strikes In Iraq

Early Wednesday, the United States and Saudi Arabia launched joint airstrikes on Iran-backed Popular Mobilisation ForcesPopular Mobilization ForcesIraqi umbrella organization of militias incorporated into the military forces sites in Iraq, killing at least 20 fighters and wounding 32 after more than 30 drone attacks on Saudi targets over three days. The operation marked Riyadh’s public entry into the U.S.-Iran military escalation, which began with U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28 and continued despite U.S.-Iran negotiations in June. Iraq’s National Security Council called the strikes a flagrant violation of sovereignty, and Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi canceled his first official trip to Saudi Arabia.