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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE]

2 clusters · 62 sources · 1 days · First seen about 17 hours ago · Last updated about 15 hours ago

Categories: INTERNATIONAL · POLITICS

US‑Saudi airstrikes on Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces

Entities: United States · Iraq · Saudi Arabia · United States (US) · Popular Mobilization Forces

Overview

In late July 2026 the United States and Saudi Arabia carried out coordinated airstrikes against sites used by Iran‑aligned militias of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). The operation, described as retaliation for drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities and Iranian missile launches at a U.S. base in Jordan, hit locations across Basra, Babil, Karbala, Nineveh and other provinces.

The strikes killed at least eight PMF members and wounded four, prompting Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al‑Zaydi to visit the PMF headquarters, pledge assistance to families of the dead, and condemn the attacks as a violation of Iraq’s sovereignty. An emergency National Security Council meeting was convened.

Later reports detailed higher casualties—at least 20 fighters killed and 32 wounded—and noted damage in Baghdad, Wasit, Kirkuk, Diyala and other areas. The attacks sparked regional tension, drew condemnation from Iran, and led to a rise in Brent crude prices. Jordan reported intercepting Iranian missiles aimed at its territory, underscoring the broader security fallout.

Overall, the joint US‑Saudi operation marked a significant escalation in the conflict between Iran‑backed militias and the Gulf‑Arab coalition, intensifying diplomatic and economic repercussions across the Middle East.

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 3 SOURCES] The attack killed eight members and injured four members of the Popular Mobilization Forces in Nineveh and other provinces. (c67dec6c-fae8-4b07-b0cd-f298c55e0b34, c7e7412f-0044-4bb9-bfeb-051c9d9d1d71, cadfe62a-5271-401f-9767-d6f3d498e3fc)
[● 2 SOURCES] Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al‑Zaydi visited the Popular Mobilization Forces headquarters. (c7e7412f-0044-4bb9-bfeb-051c9d9d1d71, cadfe62a-5271-401f-9767-d6f3d498e3fc)
[● 2 SOURCES] Ali Faleh al‑Zaydi condemned the Saudi‑American attack on Popular Mobilization Corps sites. (c7e7412f-0044-4bb9-bfeb-051c9d9d1d71, cadfe62a-5271-401f-9767-d6f3d498e3fc)
[● 2 SOURCES] Iraqi authorities pledged to honor the families of the martyrs and provide full medical care to the wounded, including transport abroad if needed. (c7e7412f-0044-4bb9-bfeb-051c9d9d1d71, cadfe62a-5271-401f-9767-d6f3d498e3fc)
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Iraqi National Security Council held an emergency meeting to address the security situation after the strikes. (c67dec6c-fae8-4b07-b0cd-f298c55e0b34)
[○ 1 SOURCE] U.S. and Saudi forces carried out joint airstrikes on Iraqi sites linked to Iran‑aligned militias on July 28‑29, described as operation “SankTom”. (c67dec6c-fae8-4b07-b0cd-f298c55e0b34)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry said the strikes were in self‑defence under UN Charter article 51 and that Saudi Arabia does not seek escalation. (c67dec6c-fae8-4b07-b0cd-f298c55e0b34)
[○ 1 SOURCE] The strikes hit sites in Basra, Babil, Karbala and Nineveh. (c67dec6c-fae8-4b07-b0cd-f298c55e0b34)

Timeline

about 15 hours ago

[INTERNATIONAL] 59 sources FAST-MOVING
US and Saudi airstrikes in Iraq kill 20 Iran‑backed militia fighters
US and Saudi forces struck Iran‑backed militia sites in eastern Iraq on 28‑29 July, killing 20 PMF fighters, wounding 32, prompting Iraqi condemnation and an emergency security meeting, while Brent crude rose ~
about 17 hours ago

[POLITICS] 3 sources
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al‑Zaydi condemns Saudi‑US strikes on Popular Mobilization sites
Iraqi PM Ali Faleh al‑Zaydi visited PMF headquarters, condemned a Saudi‑US strike that killed eight and injured four, and called an emergency security meeting as Iraq responded to joint airstrikes on militia‑t‑

Sources

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