Iran-Backed Militias in Yemen and Iraq Join Forces to Threaten Gulf

A new level of coordination between Iran-backed militias in Yemen and Iraq has emerged, threatening the Gulf region. In July, Saudi Arabia and the US bombed Iranian-backed groups in Iraq after blaming them for drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities that were claimed by Yemen's Houthi rebels.

The Houthis helped Iraqi militias plan and execute a two-day swarm attack, showing their growing cooperation. This is part of Iran's hybrid strategy to inflict pain on major oil producers hosting American forces.

A senior US military official said the Houthis have been killed in previous strikes in Iraq and are concerned about their presence there and ability to launch attacks on other countries, including Saudi Arabia.