US, Saudi forces strike Iran-backed groups, sites in Iraq

The US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) said Tuesday that US and Saudi forces carried out joint precision strikes against Iranian-aligned groups and their sites in Iraq.

"U.S. Central Command and the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces conducted precision strikes in Iraq, (on) July 28, against Iran-aligned terrorists that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) directed to attack U.S. forces and Saudi energy infrastructure," CENTCOM said in a statement, according to Anadolu Agency.

US and Saudi fighter jets targeted multiple logistics and weapons facilities in eastern Iraq, responding to more than 30 drone attacks directed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) over the previous 72 hours, the statement said.

"The unwarranted attacks against U.S. forces were not successful," the command said.

CENTCOM said that between February and April, Iranian-aligned groups in Iraq carried out more than 600 "attempted attacks" on US citizens and facilities.

"The IRGC and its terrorist proxies must cease these attacks to avoid (a) further U.S. military response," it added.

Separately, the Saudi Defense Ministry said early Wednesday that its joint strikes with the US against Iranian-aligned group targets in Iraq were carried out in response to attacks launched from Iraqi territory on petroleum facilities in the kingdom.

Citing Article 51 of the UN Charter, which recognizes the right of self-defense, the ministry said Saudi Arabia and the US carried out "precise and targeted strikes" on targets in Iraq linked to the attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure.

"The Kingdom emphasizes that it does not seek escalation but will respond to any aggression it faces," it added.

Stabil.Az