US and Saudi Arabia Launch Joint Airstrikes Against Iran-Backed Groups in Iraq
Major clashes erupted in Iraq on Wednesday after the US and Saudi Arabia launched airstrikes against Iran-backed armed groups in the country. The joint operation was a response to drone attacks on Saudi oil targets, which were allegedly launched from Iraqi territory.
The strikes targeted several bases across Iraq, killing at least 20 members of the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), a powerful Iran-backed paramilitary group that has been incorporated into the formal Iraqi security forces. A further 32 PMF members were wounded in the attacks.
Iraq's Shi'ite-led government called an emergency meeting to discuss the situation, while Washington and Riyadh defended their decision to launch the joint strikes. The US has long called on Baghdad to crack down on Iran-backed paramilitaries, but previous efforts have been met with domestic unrest.
The renewed fighting sent oil prices soaring, with Brent crude futures trading at almost $88 a barrel. The price had briefly spiked above $100 last week before plummeting into the mid-80s this week following reports that President Trump had called off the bombing campaign.