US, Saudi strikes in Iraq kill 20 militia fighters, widen Gulf war
Why it matters: Saudi Arabia publicly joined the campaign for the first time, while Iran and Trump threatened further attacks.
The United States and Saudi Arabia struck Iran-backed armed groups across Iraq on July 29, killing at least 20 members of the Popular Mobilisation Forces and wounding 32, according to the paramilitary coalition. Washington and Riyadh framed the operation as retaliation for drone attacks on Saudi oil targets launched from Iraq. It was the first major US military action in the region since President Donald Trump halted a bombing campaign against Iran on July 24, and the first time in the war that Saudi Arabia publicly took part in joint strikes with the US. Iraq’s presidency condemned the attack as a violation of sovereignty, while Iran cast it as an effort by the US and Israel to spread the war.