Saudi Arabia says air defenses down drones launched from Iraq
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Saudi Arabia on Monday said its air defenses intercepted and destroyed several drones launched from Iraq that attempted to target oil facilities in the kingdom’s Eastern Province and the capital, Riyadh.
The Saudi Ministry of Defense said the kingdom’s air defenses successfully intercepted and destroyed the drones.
Defense Ministry spokesperson Maj. Gen. Turki al-Maliki said the attacks originated from Iraqi territory and were carried out by Iranian-backed militias.
Al-Maliki said Saudi Arabia has the right to defend itself and its critical infrastructure and reserves the right to respond at a time and place of its choosing.
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attack, reaffirming the kingdom’s right to “deter aggressors.”
The ministry also called on the Iraqi government to take all necessary measures to prevent its territory from being used as a launching point for attacks against Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq denied Saudi allegations of Iraq’s involvement in attacks on Saudi oil facilities, labeling them as false and a diversion from Saudi Arabia’s failure to counter recent Houthi strikes.
The group also threatened strong retaliation to any Saudi military action and advised Riyadh to lift its blockade on Yemen rather than accuse Iraq.