Iraq calls Saudi-US attacks ‘flagrant violation of sovereignty’

Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi cancels first official trip to Saudi Arabia in protest.Published On 29 Jul 202629 Jul 2026Iraq’s National Security Council has condemned Wednesday’s Saudi-US strikes against the Iran-backed Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), which killed at least 20 members of the Iraqi paramilitary group.The council meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, called the attacks on PMF bases in seven Iraqi provinces “a flagrant violation of Iraq’s sovereignty and the sanctity of its lands”.“An aggression”, according to a statement shared on X, “in contravention of the principles of international law and the United Nations Charter”.“Any transgression or compromise of Iraq’s security and sovereignty will not be tolerated under any circumstances”, it said.Iraq’s National Security Council holds an emergency meeting to discuss the Saudi-US attacks. Baghdad, Iraq, July 29, 2026 [Media Office of the Prime Minister/Handout/Reuters]Saudi Arabia and US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the joint air strikes targeted Iran-backed armed groups in Iraq responsible for attacks on American troops and Saudi energy infrastructure.The Saudi Ministry of Defence said in a statement that th...