Akram al-Kaabi, leader of the Iraqi armed group Harakat al-Nujaba, has threatened military retaliation following reported U.S.-Saudi airstrikes against Iran-aligned Iraqi militias, raising concerns over a possible escalation in regional tensions.
Al Jazeera reported on Sunday, August 9, that al-Kaabi described diplomacy with Saudi Arabia as “futile” and called for a military response to the reported attacks.
In a statement, al-Kaabi said missiles should be met with missiles and “fire” with “fire,” signaling a tougher stance toward Saudi Arabia and its allies.
The reported U.S.-Saudi strikes took place in late July and targeted Iraqi militia groups that Washington and Riyadh accuse of receiving support from Iran. The United States and Saudi Arabia have also accused Iran-aligned groups of carrying out attacks against U.S. personnel and Saudi energy infrastructure.
The allegations surrounding the strikes and previous attacks have not been independently verified in all cases. The targeted groups have denied or disputed some accusations, while Iraqi authorities have repeatedly warned against using the country as a battleground in wider regional conflicts.
Harakat al-Nujaba is one of several powerful Iran-aligned armed factions operating in Iraq. It is part of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), a state-recognized security umbrella that incorporates numerous armed groups.
The group has long opposed the presence of U.S. forces in Iraq and has been involved in regional tensions linked to the broader confrontation between Iran and the United States.
Al-Kaabi’s latest remarks come as tensions remain high across the Middle East, particularly amid the wider confrontation involving Iran, the United States and their respective regional allies. His comments could increase concerns about possible attacks against U.S., Saudi or other regional interests.
Any renewed violence could place additional pressure on the Iraqi government, which has sought to balance its relations with Washington, Tehran and other regional powers. Baghdad has repeatedly stressed that Iraqi territory should not be used to launch attacks against neighbouring countries.
Al-Kaabi’s statement does not establish that further attacks will occur. However, it highlights the continuing risk of escalation involving Iran-aligned armed groups and states opposed to their regional activities.
