Saudi Arabia Shoots Down Iranian-Backed Drones Amid Ongoing Tensions
Saudi Arabia's air defenses intercepted and destroyed several drones fired by Iran-backed militias in Iraq for a second day, according to the Saudi Defense Ministry. The attacks targeted petroleum facilities in the eastern region of the country, with the ministry stating that they were 'once again launched from Iraqi territory and carried out by Iran-affiliated terrorist militias.'
The Iraqi government has ordered an investigation into the matter, while the Iraqi military emphasized its commitment to preventing its territory from being used as a launching point for attacks on neighboring countries. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-backed armed groups, denied any involvement in the drone attacks and implied that they may have been carried out by Houthi rebels.
The Houthis claim to have fired missiles at the Saudi oil tanker NCC Ghazal, forcing it to turn back. This incident is part of their self-styled blockade of Saudi shipping, which has put another key Middle Eastern waterway at risk.