Saudi Arabia announced it had intercepted drones that originated from Iraqi territory, according to a report by Sky News Arabia on Monday. The incident marks the latest cross-border aerial threat to the kingdom.
The report did not specify the target or the number of drones involved. Sky News Arabia attributed the announcement to Saudi authorities but provided no further details on the interception or any damage.
Several regional governments condemned the attempted attack. The United Arab Emirates issued a statement denouncing what it called an attempt to target petroleum facilities in Saudi Arabia, Sky News Arabia reported separately. Bahrain also condemned what it described as an attempted terrorist attack on oil installations in the kingdom, according to the financial news website Mubasher. Egypt expressed its condemnation and reaffirmed its full solidarity with Saudi Arabia, as reported by the Egyptian newspaper Al-Masry Al-Youm.
Iraq’s government said it was investigating the use of drones launched from its territory to target Saudi Arabia, according to the Egyptian publication Youm7. The statement from Baghdad signals an effort to address the source of the attack and maintain bilateral relations.
The interception follows a pattern of drone and missile attacks targeting Saudi energy infrastructure in recent years. The involvement of Iraqi airspace adds a new dimension to regional security concerns. The response from Baghdad and further details from Saudi authorities will be closely watched.
