Abu Dhabi pledges full solidarity with Riyadh after air defenses intercept cross-border strikes against petroleum facilities in Eastern Province and the capital.
ABU DHABI : The United Arab Emirates has strongly condemned a series of hostile drone attacks launched from Iraqi territory that attempted to strike critical petroleum facilities in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province and the capital, Riyadh.
In an official statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), the UAE characterized the attempted strikes as a flagrant violation of Saudi sovereignty and a direct threat to regional stability. Abu Dhabi reaffirmed its complete solidarity with the Kingdom, emphasizing its total support for any security measures Riyadh deems necessary to defend its territory, citizens, and vital energy infrastructure.
The diplomatic condemnation follows an announcement by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense that its air defense systems successfully intercepted and destroyed multiple armed drones approaching oil installations across the Eastern Region and the Riyadh province. Defense Ministry spokesperson Major General Turki Al-Maliki attributed the attacks to pro-Iran armed militias operating out of Iraq.
Saudi military officials confirmed that no casualties or operational disruptions were reported at any of the energy facilities. However, the Kingdom’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a stern warning, stating that Riyadh retains the legitimate right to defend its sovereign territory and will respond at an appropriate time and place. Saudi officials also formally demanded that the Iraqi government take immediate steps to prevent armed groups from using Iraqi soil as a staging ground for cross-border aggression.
In response to the escalation, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi ordered an immediate military investigation into the claims. Baghdad reiterated its commitment to preventing non-state armed factions from utilizing Iraqi territory to target neighboring states or drag the nation into wider regional hostilities.
The attempted drone strikes mark a dangerous escalation in West Asian security, threatening the stability of global energy supply routes. Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) partners have rallied behind Saudi Arabia, echoing Abu Dhabi’s call for heightened regional vigilance and strict enforcement of international law regarding state sovereignty.
