WANA (Jul 29) – Iraqi sources reported early Wednesday that the United States and Saudi Arabia carried out joint air, missile, and artillery strikes on multiple locations in Iraq. According to Iraqi media, the attacks targeted not only bases belonging to the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), but also areas near Arbaeen pilgrimage processions and pilgrims in Iraq’s Karbala province.

 

According to Iraqi media reports, PMF positions in the provinces of Basra, Wasit, Nineveh, and Karbala came under attack. Some sources also reported that missiles and artillery shells struck areas near Arbaeen procession routes and pilgrim camps in Karbala.

 

Meanwhile, the Saudi Ministry of Defense announced in a statement that, in coordination with the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), it had conducted strikes against what it described as “targets affiliated with armed groups in Iraq.”

 

The ministry claimed that Saudi air defenses had intercepted and destroyed several drones on Monday and Tuesday that were allegedly attempting to strike oil facilities in the Eastern Province and Riyadh. It further alleged that the attacks originated from Iraqi territory and were carried out by Iran-backed groups, arguing that the military operation was conducted under the kingdom’s inherent right to self-defense in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.

The Saudi statement added that its armed forces, in coordination with CENTCOM, carried out what it described as “precision strikes” against targets in Iraq allegedly linked to attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure. Riyadh said it was not seeking to escalate tensions but would respond to any attacks against the kingdom.

 

Shortly afterward, the U.S. military also confirmed its participation in the operation. In a separate statement, CENTCOM said that U.S. and Saudi forces had conducted joint strikes on July 28 against what it described as Iran-aligned armed groups operating in eastern Iraq.

 

CENTCOM claimed the operation was launched in response to more than 30 drone attacks over the previous 72 hours targeting U.S. forces and Saudi energy infrastructure, adding that several logistics and weapons storage sites had been struck. The command also alleged that more than 600 unsuccessful attacks had been carried out against U.S. personnel and facilities in Iraq between February and April 2026, and called on Iran and its allied groups to halt such attacks.

 

Meanwhile, Iraqi media reported airstrikes on PMF positions in Basra, Wasit, Nineveh, and Karbala, while also reporting that areas along Arbaeen pilgrimage routes had been affected by the attacks. No official information has yet been released regarding the extent of the damage or possible casualties.