US, Saudi Arabia carry out strikes on Iran-backed groups in Iraq

Al Jazeera English

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Video Summary

The U.S. and Saudi Arabia have conducted coordinated strikes against Iranian-backed groups in Iraq. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that precision strikes targeted logistics and weapon sites in eastern Iraq, directed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to attack U.S. forces and Saudi energy infrastructure. This action follows over 30 IRGC-directed drone attacks in the past 24 hours. CENTCOM also reported intercepting ballistic missiles aimed at U.S. bases in the Middle East, with local reports suggesting a U.S. airbase in Jordan as a potential target. The strikes are seen as a significant escalation, occurring after a brief lull in attacks that was intended to facilitate peace talks.

Short Highlights

US and Saudi Arabia conducted coordinated strikes against Iranian-backed groups in Iraq.
Strikes targeted logistics and weapon sites in response to over 30 drone attacks.
CENTCOM intercepted ballistic missiles headed for US bases.
The action is considered a major escalation between Iran and the US.

Key Details

Coordinated Strikes in Iraq [timestamp]

The U.S. and Saudi Arabia have carried out coordinated strikes against Iranian-backed groups in Iraq.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that precision strikes targeted logistics and weapon sites in eastern Iraq.
These groups were directed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to attack U.S. forces and Saudi energy infrastructure.

U.S. and Saudi fighter aircraft struck multiple logistics and weapon sites across eastern Iraq in a strong response to over 30 IRGC-directed aerial drone attacks in the last 24 hours.

Intercepted Ballistic Missiles [timestamp]

CENTCOM reported intercepting a number of ballistic missiles headed for U.S. bases in the Middle East.
Local reporting suggests that a U.S. airbase in Jordan, which recently suffered three fatalities, may have been targeted.

What we do have is a statement from CENTCOM saying that they managed to intercept a number of ballistic missiles that were headed to U.S. bases in the Middle East.

Targeting of Proxies [timestamp]

CENTCOM stated that, in conjunction with Saudi Arabia, they targeted sites in Iraq used by proxies believed to be acting for the IRGC.
These proxies were reportedly sending drones targeting U.S. allies and the U.S. military in the region.
The targeted areas in Iraq are said to have been destroyed.

Then we had another statement from CENTCOM saying that, acting with the Saudi Arabians, they managed to target a number of sites in Iraq where proxies, people they believe were acting for the IRGC, were sending drones targeting U.S. allies and also the U.S. military in the region.

Escalation and Peace Talks [timestamp]

The exact sequence of events and whether the Iraq attacks were a response to earlier incidents remains unclear.
The situation is described as a major escalation by Iran and the United States.
This follows a five-day period of no attacks, intended to allow peace talks to begin, with former President Donald Trump having previously warned of a significant military response if a deal was not reached.

But what is clear is this is a major escalation by Iran and by the United States.