U.S. Airstrike on Iraqi Militia Kills 20 and Wounds 32

Xinhua News Agency, Baghdad, July 29 (Reporter Li Jun) - The Iraqi Shiite militia group "Popular Mobilization Forces" stated on the 29th that its bases located in multiple areas of Iraq were attacked by U.S. and Saudi Arabian forces early that morning, resulting in at least 20 deaths and 32 injuries.

The statement said that preliminary information indicated that the targets of the U.S.-Saudi attack included the headquarters of the "Popular Mobilization Forces" located in Baghdad, Wasit, Nineveh, Basra, Kirkuk, Karbala, and Diyala provinces, causing varying degrees of damage to multiple facilities, vehicles, and military equipment.

The statement pointed out that this attack represents "a highly dangerous escalation of the situation," severely violating Iraq's sovereignty and constituting an attack on Iraq's official security institutions. Relevant departments are closely monitoring the situation, and assessments of casualties and damages are still ongoing.

The U.S. Central Command announced on social media on the 28th that U.S. and Saudi forces had struck "Iran-backed" targets in Iraq. The Saudi Ministry of Defense stated on the 27th that Saudi air defense forces intercepted and destroyed several drones coming from the direction of Iraq that were attempting to attack oil facilities within Saudi territory.