US and Saudi Arabia Strike Iran-Aligned Militants in Iraq

The United States and Saudi Arabia conducted precision airstrikes against Iran-aligned militants across several Iraqi provinces on July 28 and 29, 2026. These operations targeted the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) in response to drone attacks against U.S. forces and Saudi Arabian energy infrastructure. The deadliest strikes occurred in Nineveh province, hitting the 30th Brigade and the Anti-Armor Directorate, while other strikes targeted PMF headquarters in Basra, Diyala, Salahuddin, and Karbala.

Casualty reports vary, with the PMF stating at least 20 people were killed and 32 wounded, while other sources estimate 10 to 15 deaths. The PMF condemned the strikes as a violation of Iraqi sovereignty. In response to the instability, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi vowed to ensure pro-Iran armed groups surrender their weapons.

These escalations followed separate drone attacks between July 27 and July 28 targeting Iranian Kurdish opposition parties, including the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran and the Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan, in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Regional leaders stated those drones launched from near Mosul under orders from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. During those engagements, a US-led international coalition shot down one Iranian drone near Soran.