Riyadh, July 29 (QNA) - Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Defense announced early Wednesday that the Saudi Armed Forces, in coordination with the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), had carried out targeted strikes against Iran-backed "militia" targets in Iraq that it said were linked to attacks on the Kingdom's oil facilities.
Spokesperson for the Saudi Ministry of Defense Maj. Gen. Turki Al Maliki said the operation followed the ministry's statements issued on July 27 and 28, which said Saudi air defenses had intercepted and destroyed a number of drones attempting to target oil facilities in the Eastern Province and Riyadh, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Al Maliki said the ministry had previously stated that the attacks had originated from Iraqi territory and were carried out by Iran-backed militias, reaffirming Saudi Arabia's inherent right to defend itself and its national assets, as well as its right to respond at a time and place of its choosing.
He said the Saudi Armed Forces, in coordination with US Central Command, carried out targeted strikes on Wednesday against militia sites in Iraq linked to attacks on the Kingdom's oil facilities, in exercise of Saudi Arabia's right to self-defense under international law in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.
Saudi Arabia also affirmed that it does not seek escalation but would respond to any aggression against the country. (QNA)