Iraq Condemns Saudi-US Airstrikes, Calls Them Violation of Sovereignty

Iraq has strongly condemned the joint Saudi Arabian and United States airstrikes that targeted bases of the Iran-backed Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), describing the attacks as a "flagrant violation" of the country's sovereignty.

The strikes, carried out on Wednesday across several Iraqi provinces, reportedly killed at least 20 PMF fighters and several Iranian military advisers, according to Iraqi and Iranian media reports.

Following an emergency meeting chaired by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, Iraq's National Security Council said the attacks breached international law and the United Nations Charter, stressing that Iraq would not tolerate any violation of its territorial integrity.

Prime Minister al-Zaidi also cancelled his planned official visit to Saudi Arabia in protest over the strikes.

Saudi Arabia and the United States said the operation targeted Iran-backed armed groups they accuse of launching drone attacks against US forces and Saudi oil facilities. Saudi officials claimed the drones originated from Iraqi territory.

However, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of Iran-aligned armed groups, denied responsibility for the attacks, calling the Saudi allegations "false" and warning that any military action against Iraq would face a strong response.

The Iraqi government has demanded evidence to support claims that attacks on Saudi Arabia were launched from Iraqi soil, saying no proof has been presented.

Funeral ceremonies for the slain PMF fighters were held in several Iraqi cities, while protests erupted in Baghdad, where demonstrators called for the expulsion of the Saudi ambassador.

Meanwhile, the Iran-aligned Kataib Hezbollah warned that it expects the Iraqi government to protect the country's sovereignty, stating that retaliation against the Saudi-US strikes is "inevitable" if no action is taken.

The incident has further heightened tensions in the region, raising concerns over a wider escalation involving Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the United States, and Iran.

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