Iraq says it is cooperating with Saudi Arabia to investigate an alleged drone attack [Getty]
The Iraqi government on Tuesday issued a statement condemning a recent drone attack targeting Saudi Arabia, which Riyadh said had originated from Iraqi airspace, and announced its readiness to cooperate with Saudi authorities in investigating the incident.
In the statement, Baghdad reaffirmed its “firm and historic position” regarding its relations with neighbouring countries and stressed its commitment to supporting regional stability and preventing attacks “regardless of their source”.
The Iraqi foreign ministry said it had received preliminary information regarding the alleged targeting of Saudi Arabia by three drones, adding that authorities had immediately launched verification and investigation procedures to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The ministry added that “no information related to the incident had been detected through Iraqi air defence systems or optical surveillance equipment”.
Baghdad also called on Saudi authorities to “cooperate and exchange relevant information in a manner that contributes to reaching accurate conclusions and enhances security and stability for both brotherly countries”.
The statement reiterated Iraq’s rejection of the use of its territory, airspace or waters to launch attacks against neighbouring states, stressing that Iraqi authorities reject “any acts that may undermine their stability, threaten their national security, or harm the fraternal relations with sisterly countries”.
The ministry further affirmed Iraq’s commitment to continued coordination and consultation with Saudi Arabia “in a manner that strengthens security and stability in the region and serves the shared interests of the two brotherly countries”.
On Sunday, Saudi military spokesperson Turki al-Maliki said Saudi forces intercepted and destroyed three drones after they entered the kingdom’s airspace from Iraq, warning that Riyadh reserves the right to respond at “the appropriate time and place”.
