Saudi Arabia destroys drones launched from Iraqi territory

Saudi Arabia's air defences ‌intercepted and destroyed drones launched from Iraq ​that ⁠attempted to target oil ‌facilities in the ‌kingdom's Eastern Province and Riyadh, the Saudi Defence Ministry said ‌on Monday.

Spokesperson of the Saudi Ministry of Defence Major General Turki Al Malki stated that Saudi air defences intercepted and destroyed several UAVs over the past few hours that attempted to target oil facilities in Eastern Region and Riyadh.

According to Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Major General Al Malki confirmed that the terrorist attempts originated from Iraqi territory and were carried out by Iranian-backed terrorist militias, affirming Saudi Arabia's inherent right to defend itself and its national assets, and emphasising its sovereign right to respond at the appropriate time and place.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry condemned the attack against the kingdom, reaffirming its right to respond ​to the sources of "the aggression" ‌and deter those responsible.

The ministry called on the Iraqi government ⁠to take all necessary measures to prevent Iraqi territory from being used ​as a ‌launchpad for attacks against ‌Saudi Arabia.

Iraq says opens probe into Saudi drone attack claimtttt

Iraq's Prime Minister  Ali Al Zaidi ordered an investigation into the incident, his media ‌office said  on ‌Monday evening, adding ⁠Iraq will not allow its ‌territory to be used to launch attacks against neighbouring ⁠countries.

Zaidi directed "the competent security authorities to investigate the statement issued by the ministry of defence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regarding the targeting of the kingdom with drones launched from Iraqi territory," PM spokesman Sabah Al Numan said in a statement.

WAM / AFP