Iraq’s National Security Council condemned Wednesday’s joint Saudi-US airstrikes across seven provinces, calling the operation a flagrant violation of sovereignty. The strikes killed at least 20 members of the Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Forces and four Iranian advisers, escalating regional tensions and prompting Baghdad to cancel a high-level diplomatic visit.
Emergency Security Council Meeting and Diplomatic Fallout
Iraq’s leadership moved swiftly following the strikes. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi chaired an emergency meeting of the National Security Council in Baghdad to formulate the government’s official response to the military action.
The council formally categorized the multi-province bombardment as a flagrant violation of Iraq’s sovereignty and the sanctity of its lands
, according to an official statement shared on X by the prime minister’s media office. Officials emphasized that any transgression or compromise of Iraq’s security and sovereignty will not be tolerated under any circumstances
.
The diplomatic fallout was immediate. Prime Minister al-Zaidi cancelled what was scheduled to be his first official visit to Riyadh, which had been planned for Thursday following his assumption of office.
Military Targets and Casualties Across Seven Provinces
The coordinated military operation, executed jointly by Saudi forces and US Central Command, targeted logistics, weapons, and paramilitary bases spanning from Kirkuk in northern Iraq to Basra in the south. The strikes hit installations belonging to the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), an umbrella organization of state-incorporated paramilitary units.
Local assessments regarding property damage and casualty counts remained ongoing as civil defense teams accessed sealed sites.
Washington and Riyadh Justify Strikes as Self-Defense
United States and Saudi military authorities defended the operation as a necessary countermeasure against persistent cross-border attacks. CENTCOM stated that the precision strikes targeted Iran-aligned logistics sites responsible for more than 30 drone and missile attempts directed at American personnel and Saudi energy infrastructure over a three-day window.
The Saudi Ministry of Defence confirmed its participation, marking the first time the kingdom has acknowledged direct offensive actions in the current five-month conflict. Riyadh asserted that the mission constituted lawful self-defense
after air defense batteries intercepted and destroyed several drones that attempted to target petroleum facilities in the Eastern Province and Riyadh regions… launched from Iraqi territory and carried out by Iran-aligned terrorist militias.
Baghdad Demands Proof Amid Denials from Iran-Backed Factions
Baghdad pushed back against the evidentiary basis offered by the coalition. A spokesperson for the commander-in-chief of Iraq’s armed forces told the Iraqi News Agency that coalition operations had actively obstructed local inquiries, stating, We demand evidence and proof regarding the launch of attacks from Iraq, and no party has provided any evidence
.
Simultaneously, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq rejected all allegations linking its network to strikes inside the kingdom. The umbrella coalition dismissed the Saudi claims as fabrications
and warned that any foolish Saudi action will be met with a harsh response
.
Market Disruptions and Regional Security Implications
The military escalation instantly disrupted global energy markets, breaking a brief three-day pause in energy market movements.
With the PMF legally integrated into Iraq’s security apparatus under 2016 legislation, Baghdad finds itself caught between armed factions demanding the expulsion of foreign diplomats and international coalition partners determined to dismantle cross-border proxy networks.
