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The United States and Saudi Arabia launched joint air strikes on Iran-aligned groups in Iraq on July 28, in response to a series of drone attacks targeting Saudi energy infrastructure and US forces in the region. The strikes, coordinated with US Central Command (CENTCOM), killed at least 20 members of Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), according to reports.

Iraq's National Security Council condemned the strikes as a violation of the country's sovereignty, and Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi cancelled a planned visit to Saudi Arabia in protest. Iran, for its part, denied any involvement in the drone attacks and condemned the US-Saudi action as a violation of international law.

Coverage Comparison

Reporting on the strikes varies across outlets in emphasis and detail. Al Jazeera's coverage highlighted Saudi Arabia's stated rationale, quoting the Saudi Ministry of Defence as saying the strikes were "in response to recent drone attacks" and that Saudi air defences had intercepted drones launched from Iraqi territory targeting petroleum facilities in the Eastern Province and Riyadh regions. The same outlet also reported Iraq's National Security Council's condemnation, describing the attacks as "a flagrant violation of Iraq's sovereignty and the sanctity of its lands."

The Jerusalem Post focused on the broader context of Iranian-backed militias using Iraq as a staging ground for attacks on neighbouring countries, including Saudi Arabia, Syria, Kuwait, and Jordan. Its reporting cited CENTCOM's statement that the strikes targeted "Iran-aligned terrorists that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) directed to attack US forces and Saudi energy infrastructure," and noted that American and Saudi aircraft struck "multiple terrorist logistics and weapons sites across eastern Iraq in a strong response to over 30 IRGC-directed aerial drone attacks in the last 72 hours."

TASS — English reported the strikes as a joint US-Saudi operation, citing CENTCOM and the Saudi Defence Ministry. It also carried Iran's condemnation, quoting the Foreign Ministry's statement that the attacks were "a clear encroachment on the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq, a gross violation of paragraph 4 of Article 2 of the United Nations charter and fundamental norms of international law."

Key Claims

  • The US and Saudi Arabia conducted joint precision strikes against Iran-aligned groups in Iraq, as reported by Al Jazeera, the Jerusalem Post, and TASS — English, citing CENTCOM and the Saudi Ministry of Defence.
  • The strikes were in response to drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities and US forces, a claim attributed by multiple outlets to CENTCOM and Saudi officials.
  • The strikes were coordinated with US Central Command (CENTCOM), according to statements cited across all three outlets.
  • Iraq's National Security Council condemned the strikes as a violation of Iraq's sovereignty, as reported by Al Jazeera and the Jerusalem Post.
  • At least 20 members of the PMF were killed in the strikes, a figure reported by Al Jazeera and TASS — English, citing Iraqi Shiite militia Al-Hashd al-Shaabi.
  • Iran denied involvement in the drone attacks, as reported by TASS — English, citing Iran's IRIB state television.
  • Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi cancelled his visit to Saudi Arabia in protest, a claim carried by Al Jazeera.

Perspectives

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia, via its Ministry of Defence, framed the strikes as a defensive response to drone attacks on its oil facilities, stating that the operation was carried out in coordination with CENTCOM and that the kingdom "does not seek escalation but will respond to any aggression it faces."

Iraq

Iraq's National Security Council condemned the strikes, calling them "a flagrant violation of Iraq's sovereignty and the sanctity of its lands" and "an aggression" in contravention of international law. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi cancelled his planned visit to Saudi Arabia in protest.

Iran

Iran's Foreign Ministry condemned the US-Saudi attacks as "aggressive" and "criminal," asserting they violate international law and serve to expand the war in the Middle East. Iran also denied involvement in the drone attacks that preceded the strikes.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-backed armed groups, denied any role in the attacks on Saudi Arabia, calling the Saudi claims "fabrications" and warning that "any foolish Saudi action will be met with a harsh response," as quoted by Al Jazeera.