Beirut: Saudi Arabia on Monday called on the Iraqi government to take all necessary measures to prevent its territory from being used as a 'launching point' for attacks against the kingdom.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Foreign Ministry of Saudi Arabia issued a statement condemning 'in the strongest terms' what it described as 'reprehensible' drone attacks launched by Iran-backed militias from Iraqi territory. The ministry emphasized the kingdom's determination to protect its security and sovereignty, deter the attackers, and exercise 'its right to respond to the sources of the aggression.'

The statement further stressed 'the need for the Iraqi government to take all necessary measures to ensure that its territory is not used as a launching point for aggression.' This call to action comes in the wake of Saudi Arabia's air defenses intercepting and destroying several drones launched from Iraqi territory, which were reportedly targeting oil facilities within the kingdom.

There has been no immediate response from the Iraqi government regarding the situation, leaving the next steps uncertain as tensions remain high in the region.