The US and Saudi Attack on Iraqi Groups Was a Response to Long-standing Hostilities

US Central Command said US and Saudi forces conducted precision strikes in eastern Iraq on July 28 against Iran-aligned militants it said the IRGC directed to attack US forces and Saudi energy infrastructure.

CENTCOM said 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.” It also said that from February through April 2026 there were more than 600 attempted attacks on US citizens and facilities by Iran-aligned militias in Iraq.

The strikes followed militia attacks on Saudi Arabia from July 26 to July 28, according to an analysis by Seth J. Frantzman published by The Jerusalem Post on July 29. The article said the militias have targeted Saudi Arabia numerous times in the last six months and since 2019.

Saudi Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Malki said terrorists had attacked Saudi Arabia from Iraq, according to Arab News as cited in the article. He “affirmed the Kingdom’s inherent right to defend itself and its assets, as well as its right to respond at the appropriate time and place.”

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said the “aggressive approach adopted by the Iran-affiliated terrorist militias in Iraq” came while the kingdom was trying to help end regional escalation. The article said Saudi officials noted that drones had been launched from Iraq targeting oil facilities in Saudi Arabia’s eastern province.

In Iraq, PMF-affiliated militias said the strikes caused deaths, injuries and damage. “These attacks resulted in the martyrdom of a number of personnel and injuries to others, as well as material damage to several buildings and properties,” they said, according to the article.