Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence said on Wednesday its armed forces, in coordination with US Central Command (CENTCOM), carried out targeted strikes against sites belonging to Iran-backed militia in Iraq.
The ministry’s official spokesman, Major General Turki Al-Maliki, said the operation was conducted under the right to self-defence as recognised by Article 51 of the UN Charter.
“Today, the Saudi Armed Forces, in coordination with US Central Command, carried out precision strikes against targets belonging to those militias in the Republic of Iraq, which are linked to attacks on the Kingdom’s oil facilities,” Al-Maliki said.
He stressed that Saudi Arabia was not seeking escalation but would respond to any aggression against it.
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In a separate statement, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the strikes targeted several logistics and weapons sites used by “terrorists supported by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)”. It said the operation was a strong response to more than 30 drone attacks directed by the IRGC over the past three days.
The joint strikes came after Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry said the Kingdom reserved its “legitimate legal right” to take all necessary measures against the sources of the attacks, following drone strikes on oil facilities in the Eastern Province.
The developments have heightened fears of a broader military confrontation amid continuing tensions between Washington and Tehran.
Saudi Arabia has previously said it would not hesitate to protect its security, national interests and strategic assets, and would respond firmly to any hostile acts.
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