US, Saudi Arabia launch joint aggression against Iraqi resistance; at least 20 killed

The United States and Saudi Arabia have carried out coordinated aerial aggression against several bases and weapons depots belonging to Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMU), also known as Hashd al-Sha’abi.

In separate statements issued early Wednesday, the Saudi defense ministry and the US Central Command announced the joint aggression, saying it targeted bases and weapons storage facilities belonging to the PMU, which serves as a coalition of anti-terror resistance groups.

Turki al-Maliki, spokesperson for the ministry, said the kingdom, in coordination with CENTCOM, had struck specific targets that he claimed had been involved in recent attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure.

CENTCOM also said US and Saudi warplanes had targeted several logistical bases and weapons storage facilities in eastern Iraq. 

According to preliminary reports, citing the Iraqi resistance groups, at least 20 fighters were martyred and 32 others were wounded in the attack.

Reports from Iraqi sources, Arab media outlets, and social media users, meanwhile, indicated that multiple locations across Iraq had come under aerial attacks. However, the details of the strikes, as well as the extent of the damage and casualties, have yet to be officially confirmed.

According to those reports, the largest strikes took place in Basra Province, where Hashd al-Sha’abi’s operational headquarters in the al-Dair area and the group's weapons depots were reportedly targeted.

Arab news networks, including al-Hadath, reported multiple airstrikes and injuries to several individuals. Surveillance camera footage circulating online showed explosions in the area. The PMU’s Operations Command in Basra said three airstrikes had struck the vicinity of one of its headquarters and that two missiles landed nearby.

Other reports said bases and weapons depots in the al-Suwaira area of Wasit Province, including the al-Fath al-Mubin base, had also come under attack.

Various sources further reported strikes on positions affiliated with Hashd al-Sha’abi in Babil Province, including locations in Jurf al-Nasr.

Some unverified reports and social media posts also said that positions in the Nineveh Plains, Kirkuk, Karbala, and other parts of eastern Iraq had been targeted.

Resistance had warned Saudi against military aggression

The aggression came, although Iraqi resistance had warned Saudi Arabia earlier this week against waging such strikes against the Iraqi territory following Riyadh's accusations that attacks on some of its oil facilities had originated from Iraq.

In a statement released on Monday, the resistance had rejected the Saudi allegations, describing them as “baseless.”

“These baseless allegations... are nothing more than a transparent attempt by the Saudi regime to cover up its complete failure to respond to the highly effective operations carried out by Yemen's resistance forces against the regime's deeply buried infrastructure,” the statement said.

“We in the Islamic Resistance give a clear warning to the Saudi regime that any foolish action on their part will be confronted with a decisive response that will compel them to feel deep regret,” the statement declared.

The statement urged Saudi authorities to stop blaming Iraq and instead end Riyadh’s blockade on Yemen.

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