A Saudi official told CNN that Iranian-backed Iraqi militias and the Houthis are preparing to attack ports and airports 'in the very near future.' Separately, Iraqi security forces have been deployed in Baghdad to prevent the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) from taking escalatory actions against Saudi Arabia, according to unconfirmed reports.
Unconfirmed reports early Friday morning indicate that Iraqi security forces have been deployed in Baghdad to prevent the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) from taking escalatory actions against Saudi Arabia. The deployment comes just hours after a Saudi official told CNN, at 23:37 Jerusalem on Thursday, that the kingdom is bracing for imminent coordinated attacks by Iranian-backed Iraqi militias and the Houthis on ports and airports "in the very near future."
The thread of warnings began at 23:37 Jerusalem on Thursday, when a Saudi royal family source told Al-Arabiya that Iran was coordinating with the Houthis and Iraqi militias for an attack. Shortly after, a Saudi official issued a formal warning, and further reports from Reuters and CNN confirmed the kingdom's assessment, with potential targets including energy facilities, ports, and airports. Earlier on Thursday, at 17:28 Jerusalem, Iraqi security forces had already been placed on high alert to monitor factions and prevent attacks on Saudi Arabia, as The Zioneer reported.
The Zioneer has previously reported on the broader regional context: the formation of a US-Israel-Gulf coalition to counter Iranian-backed threats, Saudi preparations for a large-scale offensive against the Houthis in Yemen, and Jordan's warning that it would strike Iraqi militias if attacked from Iraqi soil. The Iraqi government has been on alert over militia activity targeting the kingdom.
The specific attacks have not yet occurred, and the reported Iraqi deployment has not been officially confirmed by Iraqi authorities. The situation remains fluid.
8 developments
- DevelopingAsaf Rozentzweig (N12) reports: Saudi briefings detect missile and drone movement, warn of potential launches
- DevelopingSaudi Arabia prepares 'violent wave' of strikes against Houthis, warns of Iranian attack plans
- StrongHouthis attacked Saudi Arabia from Iraq this week, Reuters says
- DevelopingHananel Aviv: Iraqi Shiite Militias Join Houthis in Striking Saudi Oil Targets
Source and signal
- Open-source intake