Iraq forms military committees to investigate drone attacks on Gulf states

BAGHDAD — Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi directed the formation of military committees to investigate recent drone attacks on Gulf states and coordinate with regional governments, the government spokesman announced Tuesday, as the UAE confirmed that drones targeting its Barakah nuclear power plant originated from Iraqi territory.

Government spokesman Basim al-Awadi said committees would be formed at the level of the Ministry of Defense, the Joint Operations Command and border military units, tasked with communicating with Gulf states to provide and verify information. “If it is proven that any attack was launched from inside Iraq, the government will take all appropriate measures to preserve the sovereignty of Iraq, neighboring countries and the region,” he said.

Awadi said “the region is witnessing escalating tensions extending from Palestine, Lebanon and Syria to the Gulf states, creating a state of sensitivity and reproach among brotherly countries,” and reaffirmed Iraq’s commitment to “not allowing its territory to be used as a corridor or launching point for aggression.”

The announcement came after the UAE Ministry of Defense said Tuesday that tracking and surveillance confirmed three drones targeting the Barakah nuclear power plant in the Al Dhafra region two days earlier had all originated from Iraqi territory. Two were intercepted while a third struck an electricity generator outside the station’s inner perimeter, with no casualties reported. The UAE said it “retains its full right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty and national security.”

Iraq also condemned separate drone attacks on Saudi Arabia, with Awadi saying Iraqi authorities had “neither detected nor recorded any information related to Iraqi airspace concerning this matter.” Saudi Arabia said Sunday it had intercepted three drones from Iraqi airspace and reserved the right to respond “at the appropriate time and place.”

The incidents follow repeated attacks on Gulf states attributed to Iran-aligned Iraqi armed factions since the outbreak of the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran in late February. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and the UAE have all summoned Iraqi diplomatic representatives in recent months to protest strikes allegedly launched from Iraqi territory.