Pakistan has condemned drone attacks targeting oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office (FO).
The Foreign Office stated that “such provocative attacks pose a grave threat to peace and stability across the entire region.”
The official response reiterated Pakistan’s stance regarding the kingdom. “Pakistan stands in solidarity with the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and reaffirms its strong and unwavering support for the Kingdom’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and peace and prosperity,” the FO said.
Addressing regional security, the FO added that “Pakistan has taken, and will continue to take, all possible steps to support efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace, security and stability in the region.”
The statement follows military developments reported by Saudi air defence forces, which intercepted and destroyed multiple drones launched from Iraqi territory.
The Saudi Defence Ministry stated that air defences shot down the incoming drones over the course of several hours before the aircraft reached petroleum installations situated in the Eastern Province and the Riyadh region.
The Saudi Defence Ministry identified the origin of the operations, stating that the attempted attacks originated from Iraqi territory and were carried out by “Iran-backed terrorist militias.”
Outlining the stance of the Saudi military, the ministry stated that “Saudi Arabia reserves its legitimate right to defend itself, its territory and critical infrastructure, and retains the right to respond at the appropriate time and place.”
The Saudi Foreign Ministry issued a separate statement emphasizing the position of the kingdom. The ministry stated its determination “to safeguard its security and sovereignty, deter aggressors, and exercise its right to respond to the sources of the attacks.”
The Saudi Foreign Ministry also called on the Iraqi government to take measures ensuring that territory within Iraq is not utilized as “a launching point” for attacks against Saudi Arabia.
The military escalation occurs alongside the resumption of hostilities involving Saudi Arabia, Yemen’s Houthis, and regional actors, despite a recent lull in direct military exchanges between the United States (US) and Iran.
