US and Saudi Arabia Strike Iran-Aligned Militias in Iraq

The United States and Saudi Arabia launched coordinated precision airstrikes across several Iraqi provinces on July 28 and 29, 2026. The operations targeted bases and weapons storage facilities of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), an Iran-aligned paramilitary organization. The joint military action was retaliation for drone attacks targeting U.S. forces and energy infrastructure in eastern Saudi Arabia.

The PMF reported at least 20 killed and 32 wounded, with the deadliest strikes occurring in Nineveh province. Other targeted areas included Baghdad, Wasit, Basra, Kirkuk, Karbala, and Diyala. While President Donald Trump claimed the attacks were coordinated with the Iraqi government, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi postponed a scheduled visit to Saudi Arabia and convened an emergency security meeting. Former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani and the Iraqi presidency condemned the strikes as a blatant violation of national sovereignty.

This escalation follows a separate campaign by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which launched at least 14 drone and missile strikes against Iranian Kurdish opposition bases in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq between July 27 and 29. The U.S.-led coalition intercepted several drones near Erbil and Soran during those attacks. In response to the continued targeting of Saudi oil facilities, the United Arab Emirates and the Gulf Cooperation Council expressed solidarity with Riyadh, describing the militia attacks as a threat to regional stability.