Saudi Warplanes Hit Iran-Backed Militias in Iraq as Kuwait Launched at Least 2 Strikes
Updated
Updated · Reuters · May 13
Saudi Warplanes Hit Iran-Backed Militias in Iraq as Kuwait Launched at Least 2 Strikes
5 articles · Updated · Reuters · May 13
Saudi fighter jets struck Iran-backed Shi'ite militia targets in Iraq during the Iran war, with some raids occurring around the April 7 U.S.-Iran ceasefire, according to multiple officials and people briefed on the matter.
The targets were sites near Saudi Arabia's northern border from which drones and missiles had been launched at Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, opening a second front beyond direct attacks on Iran.
At least 2 retaliatory strikes were also launched from Kuwaiti territory into Iraq, Iraqi sources said; one April attack in southern Iraq killed several fighters and destroyed a Kataib Hezbollah communications and drone facility.
The strikes followed months of Gulf pressure on Baghdad to rein in militias after repeated cross-border attacks, including protests lodged by Kuwait and Saudi Arabia and the storming of Kuwait's Basra consulate on April 7.
The disclosures show how the war that began after the Feb. 28 joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran pulled Iraq deeper into the conflict, straining a 2023 Saudi-Iran détente and exposing Iraq's limited control over Tehran-linked armed groups.
After drones crippled Gulf economies, how can nations defend against this pervasive new form of asymmetric warfare?
As neighboring countries now openly strike militias on its soil, has Iraqi sovereignty effectively collapsed?
With the Strait of Hormuz shut, will Red Sea pipelines permanently alter global energy maps and Middle Eastern power?
2026 Gulf Crisis: 100+ Drone and Missile Strikes Hit Kuwait, Regional Oil Prices Spike 40%
Overview
As of May 13, 2026, Kuwait is facing a sustained wave of drone attacks, reflecting the ongoing volatility in the Persian Gulf region. Recent incidents, including a drone strike on April 25, highlight a broader pattern of targeting critical infrastructure, especially desalination and energy facilities. Kuwait’s army has been actively defending against these threats, which are part of a larger escalation where Iran has retaliated against US and Israeli actions by striking Israel, US bases, and Gulf countries. This surge in attacks underscores the vulnerability of vital Gulf infrastructure and the complex regional conflict dynamics.