- On Monday, Saudi Arabia intercepted drones launched by Iran-backed militias from Iraq targeting oil facilities and Riyadh.
- The Saudi defence ministry stated that "terrorist attempts were launched from Iraqi territory and carried out by Iranian-backed terrorist militias".
- Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed they launched drone attacks on Saudi Arabian oil infrastructure in response to incursions by the kingdom's drones.
- Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry stated it "reserves the right to respond" to the attacks attributed to Iran-backed armed groups in Iraq.
- Saudi Arabia demanded that Iraq take all necessary measures to prevent the use of its territory for attacks.
- Iraq is investigating the claims that the drones were fired from its territory, with Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi stating that Iraq "will not allow its territory to be used to launch attacks against neighbouring countries."
- In May, both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates reported intercepting drones launched from Iraq, raising concerns over Baghdad's ability to control Iran-aligned armed factions.
Saudi Arabia intercepted drones launched from Iraq by Iran-backed militias targeting its oil facilities, while the Houthis claimed responsibility for separate drone strikes on the kingdom's infrastructure. The Saudi defense ministry described these as terrorist attempts from Iraqi territory, demanding that Iraq prevent such actions.15
The Houthis stated their drone attacks were a response to incursions by Saudi drones. The Saudi Foreign Ministry emphasized it reserves the right to respond to these provocations, heightening regional tensions. Iraq's Prime Minister, Ali al-Zaidi, assured that Iraq will not allow its territory to be used for attacks against neighboring countries, as the government investigates the claims.4
In recent months, both Saudi Arabia and the UAE have reported similar drone interceptions from Iraq, raising concerns about Baghdad's ability to control Iran-aligned armed factions. Satellite images have shown smoke at several Saudi oil facilities, but it remains unclear if these attacks have impacted the kingdom's energy production capabilities.
The Abqaiq oil processing plant, crucial for Saudi oil exports, was previously targeted by the Houthis in 2019, which halved the nation’s oil production.
“Saudi Arabia's defense ministry condemned the drone attacks, stating they were launched from Iraqi territory by Iranian-backed militias. Iraq's Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi assured that the country would not allow its territory to be used for such attacks, prompting an investigation into the claims.”
