Saudi Arabia says air defences intercept drones from Iraq

Riyadh:Saudi Arabia’s Defence Ministry said on Monday that its air defences had intercepted a number of drones launched from Iraqi territory, which attempted to target oil facilities in the kingdom.

The ministry’s spokesman Turki Al-Malki said in a statement on social media that Saudi air defences intercepted and destroyed several drones over the past hours as they attempted to target oil facilities in the Eastern Province and Riyadh.

Al-Malki said the attempts were launched from Iraqi territory and carried out by what he described as Iranian-backed militias, Xinhua News Agency reported.

He affirmed Saudi Arabia’s right to defend itself and its resources, adding that the kingdom reserves the right to respond.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry expressed condemnation of the drone attack.

No group in Iraq has so far claimed responsibility for the incident.

On May 17, the Saudi Ministry of Defence announced the interception of three drones after they entered the kingdom’s airspace from Iraq.

Spokesperson Al-Maliki said on X that the ministry reserves the right to respond at the appropriate time and place.

He noted that it will take and implement all necessary operational measures to respond to any attempted attack targeting the kingdom’s sovereignty, security, and the safety of its citizens and residents.

On May 18, the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that it is deeply concerned over reports of three drones having targeted facilities in Saudi Arabia, reaffirming its rejection of any acts that undermine the security of regional states.

On May 20, a special committee was formed to coordinate with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after the drone attacks targeting the two countries.

In a statement, spokesperson Sabah al-Numan said Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief Ali al-Zaidi chaired the first meeting of Iraq’s Ministerial Council for National Security, which ordered “all necessary measures” against those responsible if Iraqi territory is confirmed as the launch point.

The meeting condemned the attacks on Saudi Arabia and the UAE and said the Iraqi government would respond firmly if its territory was used.

It also reiterated Iraq’s rejection of the use of its territory or airspace for attacks against Arab states or friendly countries.

–IANS