Saudi Arabia summons Iraqi ambassador over drone attacks

BAGHDAD — Saudi Arabia summoned Iraq’s ambassador to the kingdom, Safia al-Suhail, on Sunday and delivered a formal protest note over ongoing drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia and Gulf states launched from Iraqi territory.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry said it conveyed “condemnation and denunciation of the attacks originating from Iraqi territory toward the Kingdom and Gulf states,” stressing “the importance of Iraq dealing responsibly with these threats and attacks.” It added that the kingdom “will take all necessary measures to defend its security and protect its territory.”

The summons adds to mounting Gulf frustration over Baghdad’s inability to stop cross-border attacks by Iran-aligned factions. Kuwait has summoned Iraq’s chargé d’affaires twice since March over similar attacks. Six Arab states — Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan — jointly called on Iraq last month to act, describing the strikes as “a flagrant violation” of their sovereignty. Iraq’s Foreign Ministry has repeatedly rejected the use of its territory for such attacks and pledged to coordinate with neighboring countries, while struggling to stop factions formally incorporated into its own security apparatus.