RIYADH -UNS : Saudi Arabia has urged Iraq to take immediate steps to prevent its territory from being used for hostile operations against the Kingdom after drone attacks targeted Saudi oil facilities, allegedly by Iran-aligned Iraqi armed groups.
The issue dominated a Saudi Cabinet meeting chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, where ministers strongly condemned the attacks and reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to protecting its sovereignty and critical energy infrastructure.
According to informed sources, Riyadh delivered a firm message to the Iraqi government, stressing that Baghdad bears responsibility for ensuring that Iraqi territory is not used as a launchpad for attacks against Saudi Arabia. Saudi officials also expressed dissatisfaction with statements from certain Iraqi factions denying involvement in the strikes, describing such claims as unconvincing.
The tensions escalated after Iranian media published images purportedly showing damage to Saudi energy installations, a development Riyadh reportedly views as further evidence of the involvement of Iran-backed armed groups operating from Iraq.
Saudi Arabia warned that repeated attacks on its energy infrastructure threaten not only the Kingdom’s security but also regional stability and global energy markets.
The Kingdom emphasized that safeguarding critical infrastructure is a shared responsibility among neighboring states and called for stronger regional cooperation to deter future attacks.
The developments place Iraq in a difficult diplomatic position as Baghdad seeks to maintain constructive relations with Saudi Arabia while asserting greater state control over armed groups operating within its borders.
Regional analysts believe Iraq faces increasing pressure to curb the activities of unauthorized militias in order to prevent further escalation, preserve ties with Gulf states, and avoid becoming a wider battleground for regional rivalries.
