Saudi Arabia, US carry out strikes on Iran-backed groups in Iraq

Saudi Arabia executed targeted military strikes against Iran-aligned armed groups operating in Iraq, coordinating the operation with US Central Command according to an official statement from the Saudi Ministry of Defence. The strikes, carried out early Wednesday, were framed as a defensive response to preceding drone attacks originating from Iraqi territory.

Saudi air defence systems intercepted and destroyed multiple unmanned aircraft that had been directed toward petroleum infrastructure in the Eastern Province and Riyadh regions. The Saudi government attributed these drone operations to Iran-aligned militant organizations and characterized them as terrorist activities. The ministry's statement concluded by asserting that while Saudi Arabia does not pursue escalation, it will respond to any aggression directed against its territory.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi announced plans to travel to Saudi Arabia on Thursday, following his earlier directive to Iraqi security agencies to investigate the drone attacks targeting Saudi facilities. The Iraqi military issued a separate statement affirming Iraq's commitment to preventing its territory from serving as a staging ground or transit route for attacks against allied or friendly nations.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella organization representing multiple Iran-backed armed factions, denied involvement in the attacks and dismissed Saudi allegations as false claims. The group warned that any aggressive Saudi action would provoke a severe response.