Saudi Arabia and the US have carried out strikes against Iran-backed militias in Iraq, escalating the Middle East conflict. The strikes, which were announced by US Central Command (Centcom) on Wednesday, targeted "Iran-aligned terrorists" directed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to attack US forces and Saudi energy infrastructure.
US and Saudi Response to Iranian Drone Attacks
US and Saudi fighter jets struck "multiple terrorist logistics and weapons sites across eastern Iraq" in a response to over 30 IRGC-directed aerial drone attacks in the last 72 hours. Centcom called the drone attacks "unwarranted" and added that they had failed. The US said the Iranian attack occurred at 17:45 EDT (21:45 GMT) on Tuesday, with all missiles "successfully intercepted".
Iraqi Casualties and PMF Response
Iraq's paramilitary Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), which is dominated by Iran-backed Shia militias, said at least 20 of its members had been killed in US-Saudi strikes on its bases. The PMF condemned what it called the "treacherous terrorist attacks", saying they were "an extremely serious escalation and a violation of Iraq's sovereignty, targeting its official security institutions". The PMF is an umbrella organisation of mostly Shia Muslim militias that has been formally integrated into the Iraqi armed forces.
Iran Denies Connection to Drone Attacks
An Iranian defence official was quoted by state TV as denying any Iranian connection to the drone attacks on Saudi Arabia. The official warned that attributing attacks on US interests in the region to Iran was a "major miscalculation". The IRGC said the missiles had targeted a US air base and a command centre in Jordan "in response to the acts of aggression of the American child-killing army".
Oil Prices Rise Over Concerns of Disruption
Oil prices rose early on Wednesday over concerns that an escalation in the conflict could further disrupt energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. In morning trading in Asia, the global benchmark Brent crude was up by 4.3% to $87.70 (£65.98) a barrel, while US-traded oil was 4.2% higher at $82.62.
What Happens Next
The latest strikes come as tensions between the US and Iran continue to escalate. The US and Saudi Arabia have made it clear that they will respond decisively to any aggression directed against them. The conflict in the Middle East is likely to continue, with the Strait of Hormuz remaining a key sticking point in negotiations between the US and Iran.
Source: Joy Online
