Iraq said it neither knew about nor approved the US-Saudi strikes that hit Iran-backed militants on its territory, directly challenging Washington’s claim that the operation had been coordinated with Baghdad. The statement from an Iraqi government spokesperson signaled a clear dispute over how the strikes were authorized and communicated.
The incident has drawn added attention because the attack was described as deadly, and because it targeted forces operating inside Iraq. According to the available details, members of Iraq’s Hashed al-Shaabi, also known as the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), were among those killed in Diyala.
Images from the aftermath showed mourners carrying the bodies of PMF members during a funeral, underscoring the domestic impact of the strike. The episode is likely to deepen political tension in Iraq, where questions over sovereignty and the presence of foreign military power remain highly sensitive.
By rejecting any prior knowledge or approval, Baghdad has placed distance between itself and the operation while highlighting a sharp disagreement with the US account. The clash in narratives adds another layer of strain to an already volatile regional situation involving Iraq, Iran-backed groups and outside military action.
