Iraqi PM Cancels Riyadh Visit After US-Saudi Airstrikes Hit PMU Bases

Background and Regional Tensions

The Popular Mobilization Forces, an Iraqi state-sanctioned umbrella organization of predominantly Shia militias, were formally integrated into Iraq's official security apparatus. The group has previously been targeted by US strikes amid broader regional tensions.

The Iraqi resistance had earlier warned Saudi Arabia against conducting strikes on Iraqi territory, following Riyadh's claims that its oil facilities had been attacked from Iraq. The latest airstrikes represent a significant escalation in cross-border military action, raising concerns about Iraq's sovereignty and the potential for wider regional instability.

Official Statements and Condemnations

Former Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani condemned the strikes as "Saudi-American aggression" and a "blatant violation of Iraq's sovereignty and a clear violation of international law and the United Nations Charter." He emphasized that Iraq reserves its legitimate rights, including self-defense of its territory and people.

The PMU, in a statement carried by Iraq's official news agency, reported extensive material damage to headquarters, military vehicles, machinery and equipment across all targeted provinces. The organization characterized the attacks as "a highly dangerous escalation, a blatant violation of Iraq's territorial integrity, and an attack on the country's official security institutions."

What Comes Next

The prime minister's visit to Riyadh remains postponed indefinitely. The National Security Council is expected to convene for emergency deliberations, and PMU investigative teams remain deployed across the affected provinces to complete casualty assessments. Iraqi lawmakers continue to press for a coordinated government response encompassing military, diplomatic and legal channels.