Riyadh: The Saudi defence ministry announced it had intercepted several drones launched by pro-Iran groups based in Iraq, while Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure.

According to France24.com, the Saudi defence ministry confirmed these “terrorist attempts were launched from Iraqi territory and carried out by Iranian-backed terrorist militias” in an official statement posted on social media. The drones targeted petroleum facilities in the eastern regions of the country and the capital, Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia has urged Iraq to take necessary actions to prevent the use of its territory as a launching point for such attacks, as per a statement from an official Saudi broadcaster. Despite the resumption of hostilities between the US and Iran earlier this month, pro-Iran armed groups in Iraq have not claimed any attacks in the region since the breakdown of an April ceasefire.

During previous phases of the conflict, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations accused pro-Iran militias in Iraq of targeting their territories. Meanwhile, Riyadh and Yemen’s Houthi rebels have resumed strikes, with the Houthis declaring a naval blockade on Saudi ports.

On Monday, the Houthis claimed they executed drone attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure in retaliation for Saudi drone incursions. Riyadh has not yet responded to these claims. Since 2015, a Saudi-led coalition has been fighting Houthi rebels to support Yemen’s internationally recognized government.

This recent escalation marks the first significant exchange between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis since a 2022 truce, which despite expiring, had largely held until now.