At least 20 people were killed in airstrikes by U.S. and Saudi forces targeting Iran-backed militants in Iraq, according to former paramilitaries. The attacks, which took place in the western Anbar province, were in response to recent drone strikes against U.S. forces and Saudi oil facilities, officials said. The U.S. Central Command confirmed the strikes were aimed at “Iran-aligned terrorists” linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The attacks come amid heightened tensions in the region, with Saudi Arabia intercepting drones and Iran issuing warnings against any actions that could threaten its control over the Hormuz Strait. Reports indicate that the Iran-backed groups launched more than two dozen drone attacks in recent days, prompting the joint military response.
The strikes mark a potential escalation in the Middle East conflict, as Saudi Arabia joins the U.S. in targeting Iranian proxies. The U.S. military stated that the operation was part of efforts to disrupt attacks on Western interests. The situation remains volatile, with regional powers continuing to clash over influence and security in Iraq and beyond.
Sources: [thehindu.com], [news.google.com]
