Saudi Arabia joined United States forces on Wednesday to strike Iran-backed militias in Iraq, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM), marking Riyadh’s first direct military involvement alongside Washington since the Iran war began in late February. The coordinated operation targeted logistics hubs and weapons depots operated by groups acting under the direction of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Saudi Shift From Military Restraint to Retaliation in Iraq
The joint strikes represent a marked departure from Saudi Arabia’s previous policy of severe military restraint. Toby Matthiesen, a senior lecturer in Global Islam at the University of Bristol, noted that the move signals a very big shift as the kingdom takes a more open military stance alongside the US. Riyadh defended the operation as an act of self-defence, stating that Iran-backed groups in Iraq had launched drone attacks against Saudi energy infrastructure earlier in the week.
Since the US-Israeli offensive against Iran started on February 28, Saudi Arabia has absorbed a steady stream of assaults from Tehran and its regional allies. Javier Bordon, a researcher in International Relations at Lancaster University, explained that the kingdom initially tried to manage the conflagration as a moderate country seeking to deter aggression rather than pursue escalation. However, the cumulative economic risks and repeated strikes altered that calculation. On March 16 alone, Riyadh accused Tehran of launching almost 100 drones against its infrastructure.
Did you know? While Saudi Arabia utilizes its East-West pipeline to bypass the Strait of Hormuz for oil exports, analysts warn that extended Houthi pressure on the Bab el-Mandeb Strait could threaten both of the kingdom’s primary maritime export routes.
Assessing the Regional Risks and the Hashed al-Shaabi Casualty Toll
The military operation exacted a toll on the ground. According to the Hashed al-Shaabi alliance, also known as the Popular Mobilisation Forces—an umbrella organisation incorporating many of Iraq’s pro-Iranian Shia militias—around 20 of its fighters were killed in the strikes. Kenzy Dessouki, a student at IE University in Madrid who specialises in Saudi-Iran relations, observed that the two nations have historically channeled their tensions through a proxy war involving multiple militant groups across the Middle East.
The choice of Iraq as a theater introduced new ground for Riyadh, which has been militarily involved in Yemen since 2015. Bordon pointed out that the strikes also align with the vision of Iraq’s Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi, who was nominated late April and has pledged to bring all armed groups under state control. By targeting militias in Iraq, Washington and Riyadh are signaling support for reasserting the state’s monopoly over armed factions.
Strategic Limits and the Outlook for Diplomatic Rapprochement
Despite the escalation, Riyadh has deliberately avoided striking Iranian territory directly. Dessouki emphasized that the operation remains a defensive response to proxy attacks rather than an offensive war against Iran itself, preserving the broader regional dynamics established after the 2023 Chinese-brokered agreement to restore diplomatic ties. By demonstrating that cross-border attacks carry a direct military cost, Riyadh hopes to deter further strikes.
Yet, this strategy carries risks. Analysts warn that participating in US-led strikes could draw Saudi Arabia deeper into a widening regional confrontation if Tehran and its allies choose to respond.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Saudi Arabia join the US strikes in Iraq?
Saudi Arabia joined the operation after facing repeated drone and missile attacks against its energy infrastructure by Iran-backed groups, marking an end to months of military restraint.
Which militias were targeted in the operation?
The strikes targeted logistics hubs and weapons depots operated by militias acting under the direction of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Iraq, including elements associated with the Hashed al-Shaabi alliance.
Did Saudi Arabia attack Iranian territory directly?
No. According to regional experts, Riyadh intentionally avoided striking Iran directly, framing the operation as a defensive measure against proxy groups rather than an offensive war on the Iranian state.
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