US-Saudi Strikes Escalate Middle East Conflict Amid Fears of Wider Regional War

The conflict in the Middle East escalated on Wednesday as the United States and Saudi Arabia launched joint strikes against Iran-backed armed groups in Iraq. The operation targeted logistics and weapons sites used by these militias to launch drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities over the past 72 hours.

According to CENTCOM, more than 30 such attacks have been made on Saudi energy infrastructure. The US and Saudi Arabia claimed that they hit multiple sites across eastern Iraq used by Iran-backed militias to direct these attacks.

The Iraqi Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) said several of its headquarters were hit in the strikes, resulting in eight deaths and four wounded among its members.