The US and Saudi Arabia carried out joint airstrikes on Tuesday against Iran-aligned militants in Iraq after more than 30 drone attacks targeting US forces and Saudi energy infrastructure in the past 72
hours, the US military said.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the strikes targeted “Iran-aligned terrorists” allegedly directed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to carry out attacks.
“US and Saudi fighter aircraft struck multiple terrorist logistics and weapons sites across eastern Iraq in a strong response to over 30 IRGC-directed aerial drone attacks in the last 72 hours,” CENTCOM said in a statement.
The US military said the drone attacks against American forces were unsuccessful and warned that “the IRGC and its terrorist proxies must cease these attacks to avoid further US military response.”
Strikes Follow Saudi Drone Interception Claims
The joint strikes came after Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry said its forces had intercepted drones targeting oil facilities in the kingdom’s east.
Saudi defence ministry spokesperson Turki al-Maliki said the drones were launched from Iraqi territory by Iran-linked militias.
“Air defences intercepted and destroyed several drones that attempted to target oil installations,” al-Maliki said, adding that the attacks were carried out by “militias linked to Iran.”
(With inputs from agencies)
