The US and Saudi Arabia launched strikes on Iran-backed groups in Iraq on Wednesday, saying they were responsible for drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities.
Saudi Arabia said on Tuesday that its air defenses destroyed several drones targeting oil facilities in the Kingdom's Eastern Province.
Spokesperson of the Ministry of Defense Major General Turki Al-Malki confirmed that “these terrorist attempts were launched again from Iraqi territory and carried out by Iranian-backed terrorist militias,” affirming “Saudi Arabia's inherent right to defend itself and its national assets, and emphasizing its sovereign right to respond at the appropriate time and place.”
Later in the day, US Central Command and Saudi Arabia's Defense Ministry said the two countries hit multiple sites across eastern Iraq that they said had been used by Iran to direct drone attacks.
The Saudi Defense Ministry said it was not seeking escalation but would respond to any "aggression.”
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said that “the aggressive course pursued by the Iran-backed terrorist militias in Iraq came at a time when the Kingdom was exerting every effort to help de-escalate tensions in the region in a manner that preserves its security and stability.”
“Instead, these Iran-backed terrorist militias chose an irresponsible path of escalation, violated international law, and disregarded the obligations of Islamic brotherhood, including adherence to the principles of good neighborliness.”
It reaffirmed that the strikes carried out Wednesday in coordination with CENTCOM, against specific targets in Iraq linked to the attacks on the Kingdom’s petroleum facilities, “were undertaken in the exercise of the inherent right of self-defense as recognized under international law pursuant to Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations.”
The Kingdom also affirmed that it does not seek escalation. “However, should it be subjected to any further attacks, it will not hesitate to take all necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty and protect its citizens and national assets.”
All Iranian missiles launched against American forces in the Middle East were intercepted, US Central Command said, adding that they “remain vigilant and at a high state of readiness.”
In announcing the strikes in Iraq, the US warned that further attacks on American troops or Saudi Arabia’s energy infrastructure risked additional action.
