Qatar condemns drone attack on Saudi oil facilities
Doha, July 27
The State of Qatar on Monday strongly condemned the attacks that attempted to target oil facilities in Saudi Arabia.
"The State of Qatar strongly condemns the attacks that attempted to target oil facilities in the Eastern Province and Riyadh regions in the sisterly Arab Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with drones launched from Iraqi territory. These are a flagrant violation of Saudi sovereignty, a threat to its security and stability, and a blatant breach of international law, the United Nations Charter and the principles of good neighbourliness," Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on X.
The Ministry affirmed Qatar's full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its support for all legitimate measures taken to preserve sovereignty, security and the safety of its lands.
Earlier in the day, Saudi Arabia's Defence Ministry said that its air defences had intercepted several drones launched from Iraqi territory, which attempted to target oil facilities in the kingdom.
The ministry's spokesman Turki Al-Malki said in a statement on social media that Saudi air defences intercepted and destroyed several drones over the past hours as they attempted to target oil facilities in the Eastern Province and Riyadh.
Al-Malki said the attempts were launched from Iraqi territory and carried out by what he described as Iranian-backed militias, Xinhua News Agency reported. He affirmed Saudi Arabia's right to defend itself and its resources, adding that the kingdom reserves the right to respond.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry also expressed condemnation of the drone attack. No group in Iraq has so far claimed responsibility for the incident.
On May 20, a special committee was formed to coordinate with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after drone attacks targeting the two countries allegedly originating from Iraq.
In a statement, spokesperson Sabah al-Numan said Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief Ali al-Zaidi chaired the first meeting of Iraq's Ministerial Council for National Security, which ordered "all necessary measures" against those responsible if Iraqi territory is confirmed as the launch point.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good to see Qatar taking a firm stand. But let's be honest - the entire Gulf region is a powder keg. These drone attacks are just a symptom of deeper geopolitical tensions between Saudi, Iran, and their proxies. For India, stable oil prices are critical. We need to diversify our energy sources and fast-track renewable projects. 🤔
Interesting how Qatar condemns now but has its own complex relationships with various groups in the region. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia's air defenses did their job this time, but what about next time? This is a serious threat to global energy markets and India's oil imports. Time for New Delhi to engage more directly on Gulf security issues. 💭
As an expat working in the Gulf, I can tell you this is getting worrying. These attacks disrupt daily life and raise insurance costs for everyone. The Iraqi government needs to control its airspace and stop being a launchpad for these attacks. Solidarity with Saudi Arabia is important, but action is more important than statements.
While I support the condemnation, I wish the article covered the humanitarian impact of such attacks. Civilians in the region live in constant fear. Also, India's 9 million diaspora in the Gulf are directly affected. Our government should ensure their safety and maybe even consider evacuation plans if things escalate. 🙏
Respectfully, I think we're missing the bigger picture here. Why is there no mention of the Yemen war and Saudi-led coalition actions that have killed thousands? This selective outrage is tiring. Condemning attacks on oil facilities while ignoring humanitarian crises elsewhere is not
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.