Reuters exclusive: Saudi fighter jets strike targets of Iraq and Iran-backed militias

Reuters published an exclusive report on May 14, citing statements from three Iraqi security and military officials, one Western official, and two people familiar with the matter. The report says Saudi fighter jets bombed militia targets in Iraq associated with Iran near the northern border of Saudi Arabia; Kuwait also reportedly carried out retaliatory strikes against Iraqi militia positions.

Known details of the Saudi airstrikes: statements from sources

According to Reuters, statements from the people familiar with the matter and the Western official confirmed the following:

· Saudi Air Force fighter jets carried out strikes on Iranian-linked militia targets in Iraq near the northern border of Saudi Arabia

· The strikes targeted locations that had previously launched drones and missiles at Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries

· A Western official said that some of the airstrikes occurred around the time of the US-Iran ceasefire on April 7

Reuters separately reported on Tuesday (May 13) that three people familiar with the matter said Saudi also directly launched airstrikes against Iranian territory during the conflict; the three said the UAE also carried out similar strikes against Iran.

Strikes toward Kuwait: confirmed elements and unconfirmed parts

An Iraqi source said military assessments indicate that at least two rocket launches were carried out from Kuwaiti territory into Iraq:

· One round of strikes hit militia positions in southern Iraq in April, killing several fighters

· The strikes destroyed facilities used by an Iran-backed militia organization, Kataib Hezbollah, for communications and drone operations

Reuters explicitly noted in its report that it is currently unable to confirm whether the rockets launched from Kuwaiti territory were fired by Kuwait’s armed forces or by US forces stationed in large numbers in the area.

Official responses from various sides: confirmed positions as of the time of publication

Saudi foreign ministry official: said Saudi Arabia is “seeking to de-escalate the conflict, exercise restraint, and preserve stability in the region by reducing tensions,” and did not directly respond to questions related to the airstrikes against Iraq

US military: declined to comment

Kuwait information ministry: as of the time the report was published, had not responded to Reuters’ request for comment

Iraqi government: as of the time the report was published, had not responded to the request for comment

Kataib Hezbollah spokesperson: did not immediately respond to the request for comment

During the conflict, Kuwait summoned Iraq’s ambassador to Kuwait three times to protest the cross-border attacks and the April 7 incident in which the Kuwait consulate in Basra was hit; Saudi Arabia also summoned Iraq’s ambassador on April 12 to protest the attacks.

FAQ

How many people are the sources for Reuters’ exclusive report, and how should their credibility be assessed?

Reuters interviewed six independent sources for the report: three Iraqi security and military officials, one Western official, and two people familiar with the matter (one of whom is based in the United States). All of them were required to remain anonymous because the information falls within the scope of confidentiality. Reuters also said that some information (including who fired the Kuwait rockets) cannot be independently verified.

Has Kuwait confirmed that it launched an attack against Iraq?

As of the time Reuters’ May 14, 2026 report was published, Kuwait’s information ministry had not responded to the request for comment. Reuters made clear that it cannot determine whether the rockets launched from Kuwaiti territory were fired by Kuwait’s armed forces or by US forces stationed there. The relevant assertions in the report come from military assessments cited by Iraqi sources.

What did Reuters previously report about Saudi’s direct attacks on Iran?

Reuters reported on Tuesday (May 13) that three people familiar with the matter said Saudi directly carried out airstrikes against Iranian territory during the conflict in retaliation for attacks against Saudi Arabia—described as Riyadh’s first known strike on Iranian territory. The three people also told Reuters that the UAE carried out similar strikes against Iran.