Saudi Arabia, US launch strikes against Iranian-backed militia targets in Iraq

Riyadh (Web Desk): Saudi Arabia has launched airstrikes against what it says were Iran-backed militia positions inside Iraq after drone attacks targeted the Kingdom’s oil facilities.

Arab media reported that the military operation was conducted in coordination with the US Central Command (CENTCOM).

Saudi officials said the strikes focused on sites believed to be linked to groups responsible for attacks on the Kingdom’s key energy infrastructure.

According to the reports, Royal Saudi Air Force jets hit four locations across Iraq, including Basra, Wasit, Karbala and the Nineveh Plains.

Saudi authorities accused Iran-backed armed groups operating in Iraq of continuing hostile actions against the Kingdom, saying those activities prompted the military response.

Saudi Ministry of Defense spokesperson Major General Turki Al-Maliki said the operation was aimed at protecting the country's national security, safeguarding its energy sector and defending its economic interests.

He emphasized that Saudi Arabia would continue to take all necessary steps to protect its sovereignty, citizens and critical facilities from any future threats.

صرح المتحدث الرسمي باسم وزارة الدفاع اللواء الركن تركي المالكي أنه إلحاقاً للبيانين الصادرين من وزارة الدفاع يومي الاثنين (١٣ صفر ١٤٤٨هـ) والثلاثاء ( ١٤ صفر ١٤٤٨هـ) الموافقين ( ٢٧- ٢٨ يوليو ٢٠٢٦م) من أن الدفاعات الجوية اعترضت ودمرت عدداً من المسيّرات التي حاولت استهداف منشآت… pic.twitter.com/0Pei5KwSkQ

— وزارة الدفاع (@modgovksa) July 29, 2026

The Saudi Foreign Ministry also confirmed the strikes, stating that they were carried out under the Kingdom’s right to self-defense in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.

The ministry said that Iran-backed militias launched drone attacks on Saudi oil installations from Iraqi territory, describing the airstrikes as a limited and carefully targeted response.

Saudi Arabia further stated that it has no intention of widening tensions in the region but warned that it would take whatever measures are required to defend its security, sovereignty and national interests if faced with additional attacks.

In a separate development, US officials claimed that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired several ballistic missiles from Iranian territory toward a US military base in Jordan. They said every missile was intercepted by American air defense systems before reaching its intended target.

In a statement posted on social media, US Central Command said all American personnel stationed across the Middle East remain safe and that US forces throughout the region continue to maintain a high level of operational readiness.

https://t.co/4gooax78lx

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 29, 2026

US officials also said that more than 20 US Navy warships are currently deployed across the Middle East, carrying out a range of missions, including operations connected to the enforcement of Washington’s maritime blockade against Iran.