Saudi Says US-Backed Strikes On Iraq Militias Were In Self-Defence After Oil Facility Attacks

Published 29 July 2026 · world

Saudi Says US-Backed Strikes On Iraq Militias Were In Self-Defence After Oil Facility Attacks Published By, Last Updated: July 29, 2026, 06:52 IST Saudi Arabia

Saudi Says US-Backed Strikes On Iraq Militias Were In Self-Defence After Oil Facility Attacks Published By, Last Updated: July 29, 2026, 06:52 IST Saudi Arabia said it does not seek escalation but warned that it would respond to any further aggression. Saudi defence ministry spokesperson Turki al-Maliki said the drones were launched from Iraqi territory by Iran-linked militias. (File photo) Saudi Arabia on Wednesday said joint strikes with the United States on Iran-backed militia targets in Iraq were carried out in self-defence after drone attacks targeted Saudi petroleum facilities. Saudi Defence Ministry spokesperson Turki al-Maliki said the operations were launched against “targets belonging to those militias present on the territory of the Republic of Iraq and linked to the targeting of petroleum facilities in the kingdom." He said the action was based on Saudi Arabia’s “inherent right to defend itself" under international law, including Article 51 of the UN Charter.

Saudi Warns Against Further Attacks Al-Maliki referred to earlier ministry statements from Monday and Tuesday, in which Saudi Arabia said its air defences had intercepted drones targeting petroleum facilities in the Eastern Province and Riyadh regions. The kingdom blamed the attacks on Iran-backed militias operating from Iraqi territory. “The aerial defences intercepted and destroyed several drones that attempted to target oil installations," al-Maliki said earlier, adding that the attacks were launched from Iraqi territory by “militias linked to Iran." Saudi Arabia said it does not seek escalation but warned that it would respond to any further aggression. “The kingdom does not seek escalation, but will respond to any aggression it is subjected to," the Defence Ministry said. US-Saudi Launch Joint Strikes Saudi Arabia’s statement came after the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it conducted precision strikes with Saudi forces against Iran-aligned groups in Iraq.

CENTCOM said the strikes targeted groups allegedly directed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to attack US forces and Saudi energy infrastructure. “US and Saudi fighter aircraft struck multiple terrorist logistics and weapons sites across eastern Iraq in a strong response to over 30 IRGC-directed aerial drone attacks in the last 72 hours," CENTCOM said in a statement. The US military said the strikes targeted weapons and logistics sites and warned that the IRGC and its allied groups must stop attacks to avoid further US military action. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad.