Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has warned of “necessary action” against those responsible for launching attacks on neighbouring Gulf countries from Iraqi territory.
Both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) claim that recent drone attacks targeting their countries have been carried out from Iraqi territory.
One such attack reportedly hit the Barakah nuclear power plant in the UAE on 17 May, raising concerns about further escalation of regional tensions. The UAE defence ministry later said the drone was launched from Iraqi territory.
Al-Zaidi’s statement came hours after the UAE called on Iraq to “urgently and unconditionally” prevent “all hostile activities” originating from its territory.
“The government will not tolerate any individual or group seeking to threaten Iraq’s security, brotherly countries or regional countries,” the Iraqi prime minister was quoted as saying during a meeting of the Council of National Security Ministers.
Tensions in the Middle East have remained high since US and Israeli strikes on Iran on 28 February. While a fragile ceasefire has been in place since 8 April, reports of drone attacks targeting the UAE and Saudi Arabia continue to emerge sporadically.