Saudi Arabia wants Iran-backed militia 'heads to roll' in Iraq amid talks with Tehran

Saudi Arabia wants Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to take punitive action against Iran-backed Shiite militias that have targeted the kingdom since the start of the Iran conflict, multiple regional officials told Al-Monitor. Tensions have escalated between the two neighbors, with Riyadh publicly acknowledging that it had conducted retaliatory airstrikes in Iraq alongside the United States last month. But as the kingdom forges defense pacts to counter threats on multiple fronts, it is also pursuing separate backchannel talks with Iran aimed at de-escalation, according to the officials, who spoke to Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity. The bulk of the attacks against Saudi Arabia since the start of the war originated from Iraq, as first reported by Al-Monitor. “The Saudis want those responsible for attacking Saudi Arabia to be arrested and punished. Not the ones who pulled the trigger, but the ones who gave the orders. They want militia leaders to be held accountable. They want heads to roll,” one of the regional officials said.