Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, at the center of Iraq’s diplomatic response, has taken a firm stance against the US-Saudi military action. His government called the strikes against Iran-backed militias a clear breach of Iraqi sovereignty, and his abrupt cancellation of a diplomatic trip to Saudi Arabia sends a strong signal of disapproval. The trip, due to take place on Thursday, was to be his first visit to the Saudi capital since he assumed office.
The National Security Council, meeting under al-Zaidi’s chairmanship, denounced the attacks as 'an aggression' in violation of both the United Nations Charter and Iraq’s territorial integrity. The strikes targeted bases of the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), a paramilitary group with strong Iranian ties. At least 20 PMF members and four Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) advisers were killed, according to reports from Iranian and Iraqi media.
Saudi and US Defend the Airstrikes
The joint military operation, conducted in cities from Kirkuk in the north to Basra in the south, was justified by Saudi Arabia and the US as a response to drone attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure and American personnel. The Saudi Ministry of Defence claimed drones used in those attacks were launched from Iraqi soil by Iran-aligned groups. It said Saudi air defenses had intercepted and destroyed several drones.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-backed militias, rejected the claims, calling the Saudi accusations 'fabrications.' The group warned that any further 'foolish' Saudi action would lead to a strong response. Meanwhile, Kataib Hezbollah, another Iran-aligned paramilitary faction, gave the Iraqi government until August 6 to prove it can protect Iraqi sovereignty, saying an 'inevitable' retaliation to the strikes is coming.
On the ground, the airstrikes have sparked immediate reactions. Funerals for slain PMF fighters were held in Mosul, with mourners calling for revenge. In Baghdad, supporters of the PMF took to the streets, demanding the expulsion of the Saudi ambassador. Iraqi officials have also criticized the lack of evidence provided by either Saudi or US authorities regarding the alleged attacks traced to Iraqi territory.