Saudi Strikes on Iran-Backed Militias Escalate Tensions with Iraq

The recent exchange of attacks between Saudi Arabia and Iran-backed militias operating from Iraq has put Baghdad's efforts to strengthen ties with Gulf states at risk, according to experts and Iraqi officials. The coordinated strikes by the US and Saudi Arabia came after the Saudi military intercepted drone attacks on its oil facilities, which were attributed to Iran-aligned militias in Iraq.

At least 20 members of Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) were killed in the attack, which has forced Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi to postpone a planned visit to Saudi Arabia. Despite Baghdad's efforts to prevent such attacks and publicly opposing them as contrary to Iraq's foreign policy, the government lacks full control over its territory.

Renad Mansour, director of the Iraqi Initiative at London's Chatham House, said that the Iraqi government has struggled to stop militias from using its territory to launch attacks. 'During the last few years, the Iraqi government has attempted or has really pushed and prioritised building ties with the Gulf states, Saudi Arabia and others,' he said.

Michael Knights, head of research at Horizon Engage, believes that Iran is happy to disrupt the Iraq-Saudi summit and will continue using proxies to do so. 'It's a free win for Iran and a loss for Iraq, Saudi, and the US,' he said.