Iraq protests US and Saudi strikes on Tehran-linked paramilitary group

Baghdad erupted in anger on Tuesday after coordinated airstrikes by the United States and Saudi Arabia targeted a paramilitary unit operating in Iraq that is linked to Tehran. The strikes, carried out in the early morning hours, hit several facilities in the Diyala and Salahuddin provinces, killing at least six fighters and wounding dozens more, according to local officials. U.S. Central Command said the operation was aimed at degrading the group’s ability to launch attacks against American and coalition forces in the region.

The targeted organization, identified by Iraqi authorities as part of the Popular Mobilization Forces and known for its close ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, has been accused of facilitating the transfer of weapons and explosives from Iran into Iraq. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al‑Sudani condemned the attacks as violations of Iraq’s sovereignty, calling for an urgent meeting of the national security council. Iran’s foreign ministry also denounced the strikes, labeling them “aggressive acts” that threaten regional stability, while the United States defended the action as a necessary response to recent attacks on its bases in Iraq.

The incident has heightened tensions between Baghdad and Washington, prompting protests outside the U.S. embassy and calls from Iraqi parliamentarians for a review of the security agreement that permits foreign forces to operate on Iraqi soil. Analysts note that the strikes could complicate ongoing diplomatic efforts to curb Iranian influence in Iraq and may lead to further confrontations if a political resolution is not reached.