US and Saudi strikes kill 5 Iranian military advisers in Iraq
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At least five Iranian military advisers were killed in US and Saudi Arabian strikes on Iran-backed militia targets in Iraq, an Iraqi security official told The National. The strikes, which also killed 20 militia fighters, followed the interception of drones launched from Iraq toward Saudi oil facilities. Baghdad condemned the operation, even as President Trump said it was coordinated with Iraqi authorities.
The Strikes
The US and Saudi Arabia launched a joint operation against targets of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces, an Iran-backed umbrella group. The strikes killed at least five Iranian military advisers and 20 militia fighters, according to a PMF statement and an Iraqi security official. The Pentagon and Saudi defense ministry said the action was a retaliation for drone attacks on Saudi Aramco facilities in the Eastern Province, which were intercepted earlier on 29 July. The intercept reportedly involved Iranian-made drones launched from Iraqi territory.
Political Fallout
Iraqi officials condemned the strikes, calling them a violation of sovereignty. President Trump claimed the operation was pre-coordinated with Baghdad, but the Iraqi Prime Minister’s office denied any prior approval. The Iraqi foreign ministry summoned the US ambassador to protest, highlighting the strained relations between Washington and Baghdad, which has long sought to avoid becoming a battleground for US-Iran tensions.
What's Next
The UN Security Council is expected to hold consultations on the strikes in the coming days. It remains unclear whether this escalation will lead to further direct confrontation between US and Iranian forces in Iraq or prompt diplomatic de-escalation efforts.
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US and Saudi strikes kill 5 Iranian military advisers in Iraq
