US-Saudi Strikes Kill at Least 20 in Iraq as Pro-Iran Groups Deny Involvement

The US-Saudi strikes in Iraq on July 29, 2026, have resulted in at least 20 deaths and 32 injuries among members of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), a former paramilitary alliance. The PMF, which is integrated into the Iraqi armed forces, accused the US-Saudi coalition of violating Iraq's sovereignty and attacking its official security institutions.

The strikes were conducted in response to attacks on US forces and Saudi oil facilities, with Riyadh blaming Iran-backed groups in Iraq for the drone targets. However, these groups denied any involvement and warned against further aggression.

The PMF is an alliance of paramilitaries and factions created in 2014 to fight jihadists, but many of its units have a reputation for acting independently. The group's statement on July 29 condemned the US-Saudi strikes as a 'dangerous escalation' and demanded that Iraq maintain its sovereignty.

The conflict has left successive Iraqi governments struggling to balance their relations with Washington and Tehran, which are both major allies in the region. The new Prime Minister, Ali al-Zaidi, has vowed to ensure pro-Iran armed groups hand over their weapons but has faced pushback from powerful factions.