Iraq rejects claims Saudi Arabia attacks were launched from its territory

Iraq has found no evidence to support claims that recent attacks were launched from its territory, a spokesperson for the country's commander-in-chief of the armed forces said on July 30, while reaffirming Baghdad's commitment to preventing any armed activity outside state control.

Speaking to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), military spokesperson Sabah Al-Numan said Iraqi security authorities were preparing a comprehensive security plan to prevent any recurrence of such incidents and to safeguard the country's sovereignty.

Al-Numan stressed that Iraq's official security forces alone are responsible for maintaining security and enforcing the state's monopoly on arms, adding that the government would not permit weapons to remain outside state authority.

He also said Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi visited the headquarters of the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), where he was briefed on attacks targeting PMF personnel in several provinces. According to Al-Numan, the prime minister ordered immediate assistance for the families of those killed and instructed that comprehensive medical treatment, including care abroad if necessary, be provided to those injured.

Addressing allegations that attacks had originated from Iraqi territory, Al-Numan called on those making such claims to provide evidence, stating that no proof had been presented so far.

He added that the Iraqi government rejects both any unauthorised military actions launched from within its territory and any violations of Iraq's sovereignty originating from outside its borders.

Earlier, Saudi Arabia said its air defences intercepted and destroyed several drones that attempted to target oil facilities in the kingdom's Eastern Province.

In a statement posted on X, Saudi Defence Ministry spokesperson Turki al-Maliki said the drones had been launched from Iraqi territory by what he described as Iran-backed militias.

Al-Maliki said Saudi Arabia reserved the legitimate right to defend its territory and critical infrastructure, adding that the kingdom retained the right to respond "at the appropriate time and place."