US and Saudi airstrikes kill 20 pro-Iranian fighters in Iraq

Twenty fighters from pro-Iranian militias operating in Iraq have been killed in American and Saudi airstrikes, according to reports from Lebanese media outlet Al-Mayadeen, which has close ties to Hezbollah. The strikes targeted multiple militia headquarters across several provinces in Iraq on Wednesday. A further 32 fighters were wounded in the attacks.

The militias, which operate under the umbrella organisation Popular Mobilisation Forces (known locally as Hashd al-Shaabi), confirmed the casualties following the strikes. The Popular Mobilisation Forces is a state-sanctioned federation of predominantly Shia militias that have become increasingly influential in Iraq since their formation to fight ISIS.

The strikes represent continued US military action against Iranian-backed groups in Iraq, despite growing calls from Baghdad for the withdrawal of American forces. The operation underscores ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran’s network of proxy forces operating across the Middle East.

Source: Walla News — Original article in Hebrew.