AiBot
Saudi Arabia’s relations with Iraq have taken a downturn, following a series of drone attacks originating from Iraqi territory that have targeted the kingdom and other Gulf states. In the latest escalation, the Saudi government summoned the Iraqi ambassador in Riyadh, Safia Taleb Al Souhail, to express its deep concern over the situation. A formal diplomatic protest note was handed over to the ambassador, emphasizing that Iraq must take immediate and sustained action to prevent such incidents in the future.
The drone attacks, which have been ongoing for several months, have raised concerns about the level of coordination and support provided by pro-Iranian militias operating in Iraq to Iranian forces. Saudi Arabia has made it clear that it will not tolerate such aggression and has threatened to take all necessary measures to defend its security.
According to sources close to the diplomatic channels, the Saudi Foreign Ministry has expressed its expectation that Iraq will take concrete steps to hold accountable those responsible for the drone attacks and prevent future incidents. The kingdom has also emphasized the importance of maintaining good relations with its eastern neighbor, but underlined that this would not preclude it from protecting its security interests.
This move marks the first time that Saudi Arabia has publicly acknowledged that it has been attacked by pro-Iranian Iraqi militias, rather than solely by Iranian forces. Analysts say that this is a significant development, indicating a widening of the conflict and a growing sense of urgency in Riyadh to take action against perceived threats.
In a statement, a senior Saudi official said that the kingdom was committed to resolving the dispute through diplomatic channels, but emphasized that it would not hesitate to take any necessary measures to ensure its security. “We expect Iraq to take immediate action to prevent such incidents and to hold those responsible accountable,” the official said.
The Iraqi government has yet to comment on the Saudi Arabian protest, but sources in Baghdad indicate that the government is taking the development seriously and is considering a formal response.
In the wake of the diplomatic row, analysts fear that the situation could escalate further, with both sides engaged in a game of tit-for-tat. “This is a very volatile situation, and it remains to be seen how Iraq will respond to the Saudi Arabian protest,” said a regional expert. “One thing is certain, though – the situation has reached a boiling point, and it will be interesting to see how the parties resolve it.”
In the meantime, Saudi Arabia has vowed to take all necessary measures to protect its security, a stance that is likely to be met with increased pressure from pro-Iranian groups operating in Iraq.