Saudi Arabia Joins US in Airstrikes Against Iran-Linked Militias in Iraq
Saudi Arabia has joined forces with the United States in attacking fighters aligned with Iran, the Gulf state's Ministry of Defense announced Wednesday. The strikes targeted Iran-linked militias based in Iraq, which had launched attacks on Saudi oil and gas facilities.
The coordinated strikes were conducted by Saudi fighter jets in coordination with U.S. Central Command, the military arm overseeing operations in the Middle East. This marks Saudi Arabia's first public foray into the war against Iran, which was launched by President Donald Trump and ally Israel on February 28.
The attacks came in response to Iran-directed attacks on U.S. assets in the region, with Central Command confirming that there were 600 such attempted attacks on U.S. assets in the first two months of the war. At least 18 U.S. service members have died in the conflict, and hundreds have been injured.
Saudi officials promised that the strikes would not mark an escalation in the fighting, but they come at a time when U.S.-Iranian peace negotiations appear to have fallen apart.