Intelligence committee formed over drone launches, says security official

BAGHDAD — Iraq has set up an intelligence committee to investigate drone launches from its territory at neighbouring countries and has located the launch site, the head of the Security Media Cell said, with the investigation continuing.

“An intelligence committee was formed, and the platform from which the drones were launched inside Iraqi territory was discovered,” Saad Maan told the Iraqi News Agency. “The investigation is ongoing, with the use of intelligence and technical efforts, forensic evidence, fingerprints and other details related to completing the investigation to identify who committed this act.”

Iraq had also been in touch with Riyadh about the steps taken, he said. “Iraq respects and appreciates all neighboring countries, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The necessary measures have been taken, and communication has taken place with the Saudi side so that it understands the measures taken by the government.” The focus was on identifying those responsible and on “giving no opportunity to anyone trying to confuse matters or drag Iraq into what we do not want,” he said.

The government has said the drones came from Maysan governorate, near the Iranian border. It closed three crossings with Iran, dismissed the Maysan Operations commander and later the police chief, and referred the governorate’s security agency heads for investigation. Saudi Arabia said it would hold off retaliating at Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s request. The Badr parliamentary bloc accused the government of unjustified haste in accepting the Saudi account, and political figures involved in the weapons talks say the factions were not responsible, without agreeing who was.