Iraqi armed group denies role in Saudi drone attack

BAGHDAD, Iraq (MNTV) — The Islamic Resistance in Iraq has denied Saudi allegations that drones intercepted while targeting the Kingdom originated from Iraqi territory, rejecting responsibility for the attack and warning that any Saudi military response would trigger retaliation.

In a statement issued on Monday, the group described the accusations as an attempt to divert attention from military operations launched by Yemen’s Houthi movement against Saudi Arabia. 

It also urged Riyadh to end what it called the blockade on Yemen instead of blaming Iraq for the attacks.

The statement followed Saudi Arabia’s announcement that its air defenses had intercepted and destroyed several drones attempting to strike oil facilities in the Eastern Province and the capital, Riyadh. 

Saudi authorities said the drones had been launched from Iraqi territory by Iran-backed armed groups and reaffirmed the Kingdom’s right to respond “at the appropriate time and place.”

According to Saudi officials, the attempted strikes targeted strategic petroleum infrastructure in the Eastern Province and Riyadh, but all incoming drones were intercepted before reaching their objectives. 

No casualties or major damage were reported. Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry also called on the Iraqi government to prevent its territory from being used to launch attacks against neighboring countries.

In Baghdad, Iraqi Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi instructed security agencies to investigate the Saudi allegations and determine whether Iraqi territory had been used in the attack.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq rejected Saudi claims, saying they were intended to justify Riyadh’s inability to respond to recent attacks claimed by Yemeni forces. 

The group warned against what it described as any “reckless” military action by Saudi Arabia and accused the Kingdom of attempting to shift responsibility for the regional escalation.

The exchange comes amid heightened tensions across the Middle East following a series of drone and missile attacks affecting energy infrastructure and shipping routes. 

On the same day, Yemen’s Houthi movement separately claimed responsibility for drone strikes targeting Saudi crude oil transport infrastructure, although it remained unclear whether those operations were connected to the drones intercepted by Saudi air defenses.

As of Monday evening, Iraqi authorities had not released preliminary findings from their investigation, while both Baghdad and Riyadh continued to exchange sharply differing accounts over the source of the attempted attacks.