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The United States and Saudi Arabia launched coordinated airstrikes on Iran-backed militia bases across Iraq on Wednesday, killing at least 20 fighters, while Iran responded by firing ballistic missiles at US military installations in Jordan. The joint operations mark the first time Riyadh has publicly joined strikes alongside Washington, according to the Jerusalem Post.

The strikes, which targeted logistics hubs and weapons depots operated by militias acting under the direction of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), were described by US and Saudi officials as retaliation for attacks on US forces and Saudi oil facilities. The Iraqi presidency condemned the raids, calling them a "flagrant violation" of the country's sovereignty, as reported by Al Jazeera and The Guardian.

Coverage Comparison

Across the reporting, the central facts are consistent: the US and Saudi Arabia struck Iran-backed groups in Iraq, killing at least 20 fighters from the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), an umbrella alliance of mostly Shia paramilitaries now integrated into the Iraqi armed forces. Iran then launched missiles at US installations in Jordan, which the US military said its air defenses intercepted.

The timing and sequence of the events remain unclear. As Al Jazeera noted, it is not known whether Iran's attack on Jordan occurred before or after the US-Saudi strikes on Iraq, and CENTCOM's statement did not clarify which came first.

Saudi Arabia's participation was highlighted as a notable development. The Jerusalem Post reported that the joint US-Saudi attacks marked the first time Riyadh had publicly joined strikes alongside Washington. France 24 noted that Saudi Arabia had previously exercised restraint, intercepting attacks while relying on US military support.

The casualty figures were consistent across sources. France 24 and The Hindu reported that the PMF said around 20 of its fighters were killed, while The Hindu added that another 32 were wounded according to a preliminary toll. The strikes hit PMF positions in seven provinces, including Baghdad, Wasit, Nineveh, Basra, Kirkuk, Karbala and Diyala, as reported by Al Jazeera.

Key Claims

The key claims from the reporting include:

  • The US and Saudi Arabia launched strikes on Iran-backed militants in Iraq in response to attacks on US forces and Saudi oil facilities, as stated by multiple outlets.
  • Iran fired several ballistic missiles at US military installations in Jordan, according to Al Jazeera and The Guardian.
  • The US military said its air defenses had averted a surprise Iranian attack on US forces in the Middle East, as reported by Al Jazeera and the Jerusalem Post.
  • The Iraqi presidency called the air raids on the PMF a "blatant violation" of Iraq's sovereignty, according to The Guardian and Al Jazeera.
  • The PMF reported at least 20 fighters killed and 32 wounded in the strikes, a preliminary toll that could rise, as reported by multiple outlets.
  • Saudi Arabia's participation marked its first direct military involvement alongside Washington since the Iran war erupted in late February, according to France 24 and the Jerusalem Post.
In addition, The Hindu reported that two Iraqi militia officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said six Iranian advisers were killed in the strikes, though it was not clear if they were included in the 20 fatalities reported by the PMF.

Perspectives

US and Saudi Arabia: Washington and Riyadh said the strikes were in response to attacks on US forces and Saudi oil facilities, with Saudi officials describing the operation as an act of self-defence. They accused Iran-backed groups in Iraq of launching drone attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure.

Iraqi government: The Iraqi presidency condemned the strikes as a "blatant violation" of Iraq's sovereignty, targeting its official institutions. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi called an emergency meeting of the Ministerial Council for National Security and reportedly cancelled a planned meeting with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF): The PMF, which includes Iran-backed factions, said the strikes killed at least 20 of its fighters and wounded 32, describing the attacks as a "dangerous escalation" and a violation of Iraq's sovereignty. Some militia groups initially denied Saudi accusations that they had launched drone attacks, calling them "fabrications."

Iran: The IRGC said it fired ballistic missiles at US installations in Jordan, and the US confirmed it intercepted the attack. Tehran's allies, including the Houthis in Yemen, have also been involved in related confrontations, with the Houthis claiming attacks on Saudi-linked vessels.