Military actions in West Asia have escalated sharply over the last 48 hours, shattering a brief lull in the regional war. The primary triggers involve a coordinated U.S.-Saudi aerial campaign and a subsequent ballistic missile offensive launched by Iran. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Below is the breakdown of which countries were "hit" (or targeted) and by whom:
Countries "Hit" or Targeted
- Iraq
- Hit by: The United States (CENTCOM) and Saudi Arabia.
- Details: Coordinated fighter jet airstrikes struck multiple weapons facilities, logistics hubs, and headquarters across seven eastern provinces. The targets belonged to the Iran-aligned Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and Harakat al-Nujaba. The strikes killed at least 20 fighters and wounded 32 others. This marks the first confirmed time a Gulf state has actively joined the U.S. in these combat operations. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
- Jordan
- Hit by: Iran.
- Details: Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) fired a barrage of at least 10 ballistic missiles targeting U.S. forces at the Al-Azraq Air Base (Muwaffaq Salti Airbase) in Jordan. Jordan’s military successfully intercepted and brought down five of the incoming missiles. No casualties were reported from the attack. [1, 2, 3, 4]
- Saudi Arabia
- Hit by: Iraqi Militias (Iran-backed) and Yemen (Houthis).
- Details: Prior to the U.S.-Saudi response, Iran-aligned militias in Iraq launched a wave of over 30 aerial drones targeting petroleum and energy infrastructure deep within Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh and the Eastern Province. Saudi air defenses intercepted the drones before they struck their targets. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
- Hit by: Yemen (Houthis) and Iran.
- Details: The Houthis in Yemen fired several ballistic missiles targeting a Saudi-flagged oil and chemical tanker, the NCC Ghazal, in the Red Sea as part of a declared shipping blockade. Simultaneously, the IRGC Navy claimed it struck commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz to deter U.S. naval movements. [1, 2]
- Hit by: Israel.
- Details: Ongoing border friction continues. In southwestern Syria, Israeli soldiers advanced into border villages and set up checkpoints amid localized shelling. In southern Lebanon, the Israeli military carried out targeted strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure, including a weapons cache and tunnel complex. [1, 2, 3]
Summary Table of Engagements
| Targeted Country / Zone | Attacking Country / Group | Type of Action |
|---|---|---|
| Iraq | United States & Saudi Arabia | Joint precision fighter jet airstrikes |
| Jordan | Iran (IRGC) | Ballistic missile barrage (partially intercepted) |
| Saudi Arabia | Iraqi Militias (Iran-backed) | Mass drone strikes targeting oil infrastructure |
| Red Sea / Strait of Hormuz | Yemen (Houthis) & Iran | Ballistic missile attacks on oil tankers and vessels |
| Syria | Israel | Ground incursion and localized artillery shelling |
| Lebanon | Israel | Counter-Hezbollah airstrikes and tunnel demolition |
As I watched two previous conversations the details and complexities got mixed up in my mind and I only caught the drift of what was said. Both were impressively well-informed but until now it was cloudy. Scott Ritter goes to the core of conflicts in a way no one can be confused. He may be partly or completely correct but he hits all the targets with precision. (Extra points for Scott.)
