RIYADH, A Saudi government official has reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to maintaining strong and brotherly relations with Iraq, while defending recent airstrikes that he said were aimed solely at armed militia groups posing a threat to Saudi national security.
According to Arab media reports, the official stressed that the recent military operations were not directed against the Iraqi government or its people, but were limited to degrading the operational capabilities of armed militias.
The Saudi official said the targeted militia groups had carried out attacks against the Kingdom’s critical civilian and economic infrastructure, including strategic energy facilities.
He stated that the airstrikes focused exclusively on military warehouses and logistical sites allegedly used by the militias to launch attacks against Saudi territory.
The official maintained that Saudi Arabia exercised restraint for several months before taking military action.
He accused the armed groups of using Iraqi territory and resources to conduct hostile operations against neighboring countries, arguing that such activities undermine Iraq’s own national interests and damage its relations with Arab and Islamic states.
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Despite the military operation, the Saudi official emphasized that Riyadh seeks to further strengthen its relationship with the Iraqi government and people.
He added that the Kingdom supports Iraq’s stability, sovereignty and regional cooperation, while opposing the activities of armed groups that, according to the official, seek to destabilize the region.
The remarks come amid heightened regional tensions following recent cross-border military operations and ongoing security concerns across the Middle East.
