Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has summoned an emergency session of the National Security Council following overnight airstrikes by the United States and Saudi Arabia against Iran-backed militias operating in Iraq.
‎
‎According to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), the meeting, scheduled to take place in Baghdad on Wednesday, will assess the country’s security situation and review the impact of the coordinated military operation.
‎
‎The United States said the strikes targeted Iran-aligned armed groups in response to what it described as more than 30 drone attacks allegedly launched by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards over the previous 72 hours.
‎
‎The Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), a coalition of mainly Shiite militias with close ties to Iran, said the attacks killed 20 of its members and injured 32 others. It added that the bombardment struck multiple locations, including areas around Baghdad, Basra in southern Iraq, and Nineveh Province in the north.
‎
‎The PMF also reported significant damage to military facilities, vehicles, and other equipment.
‎
‎Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence said its forces joined the U.S. operation to target militia bases that had previously been used to launch attacks on Saudi oil installations.
‎
‎Tensions have escalated across the region since the outbreak of the Iran conflict, with Gulf countries increasingly coming under attack from armed groups based in Iraq, where Iran-backed militias continue to wield considerable influence.
‎
‎Prime Minister al-Zaidi, who assumed office in May, has pledged to disarm the militias. However, there are few signs that such an objective can be achieved in the immediate future.
‎
‎Source: dpa/NAN