Screen grab from July 25, 2026 from undated UGC video posted on social media and verified by AFPTV shows clouds of smoke rising after strikes on the Saudi Aramco refinery in Jizan [AFP]By Al Jazeera Staff and ReutersPublished On 29 Jul 202629 Jul 2026
Saudi Arabia has carried out targeted strikes against Iran-backed armed groups in Iraq, in coordination with US Central Command (CENTCOM), according to a statement released by the Saudi Ministry of Defence.
The statement said the strikes early on Wednesday were “in response to recent drone attacks“.
It said that Saudi air defences had “intercepted and destroyed several drones that attempted to target petroleum facilities in the Eastern Province and Riyadh regions…. launched from Iraqi territory and carried out by Iran-aligned terrorist militias”.
“The Kingdom emphasizes that it does not seek escalation but will respond to any aggression it faces,” it concluded.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is expected to travel to Saudi Arabia on Thursday, days after he ordered Iraqi security agencies to investigate the drone attacks on Saudi Arabia.
“Iraq is committed to preventing Iraqi territory from being used as a route or launching point for any attack targeting brotherly or friendly countries,” the Iraqi military said in a statement on Monday.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-backed armed groups, denied any role in the attacks, saying the Saudi claims were “fabrications” and that “any foolish Saudi action will be met with a harsh response”.
