Saudi Arabia has intercepted and destroyed several drones launched from Iraqi territory targeting oil facilities in the kingdom, the Defense Ministry said on Monday. The drones were shot down before they could reach petroleum facilities in the Eastern Province and the Riyadh region.
Iran-Backed Militias
The attempted attacks originated from Iraqi territory and were carried out by “Iran-backed terrorist militias,” the ministry said. Saudi Arabia reserved its “legitimate right” to defend itself and respond at the appropriate time. The Foreign Ministry condemned the attacks and called on the Iraqi government to ensure its territory is not used as a launching point for attacks.
Regional Context
The incident comes despite a recent lull in direct military exchanges between the US and Iran. There has been no comment from Iraq on the Saudi statement. Tensions have intensified in recent weeks, with Washington carrying out attacks on Iran and Tehran responding by targeting US military facilities across the region.