Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Prominent Iraqi figures, notably Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, have openly criticized Iran-backed militias for seeking to pull Iraq into a larger regional conflict by launching unlawful drone attacks on neighboring Saudi Arabia.

In a statement on X, al-Sadr strongly criticized the militias for their dangerous actions, which jeopardize the security of the Iraqi people.

Al-Sadr’s remarks came after the United States and Saudi Arabia launched coordinated airstrikes on Iran-backed groups in several Iraqi provinces on Wednesday.

Influential Iraqi political and religious figures are escalating the pressure to disarm militant groups across the country.

The US-Saudi airstrikes were an immediate response to many drone assaults carried out by militias in the past few days against US interests in the region as well as oil facilities in Saudi Arabia.

Baghdad has initiated investigations into cross-border drone assaults in an effort to strengthen national sovereignty and prevent illegitimate military actions.

Iraqi officials confirmed that the country will not be used to launch attacks against countries in the region.