Iraq's Government Caught Between US and Iran as Air Strikes Escalate

Iraq's government is facing a delicate situation as it tries to balance its relationships with both the US and Iran. The latest development is a series of airstrikes launched by the US and Saudi Arabia against Iranian-allied fighters in Iraq, which has put the Iraqi government in a precarious position. This is not the first time Iraq has had to navigate this tightrope, having done so since the 2003 US-led invasion that led to the toppling of Saddam Hussein's regime.

The airstrikes targeted bases of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), a coalition of primarily Shiite armed groups close to Iran. These groups have been involved in fighting against Islamic State extremists and have also attacked US forces who are present in Iraq at the invitation of the government.

The PMF has denied any role in drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities, which were blamed by Riyadh on Iranian-backed militias. However, the group's umbrella organization, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, described the claims as 'fabrications' and an attempt to justify their inability to respond to Yemeni strikes.