Saudi Arabia: Gulf Allies Reaffirm 'Full Solidarity' Following Strikes on PMF
At a Glance
- Unified Gulf Backing: Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain formally declared solidarity with Saudi Arabia.
- Multi-Province Airstrikes: While the PMF only confirmed a strike in Basra, security sources reveal explosions hit Babylon, Karbala, and Nineveh.
- Preceding Drone Threats: Escalation follows tracking by Riyadh of cross-border drone strikes.
The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain reiterated “full solidarity” in confronting threats and stressed coordination efforts in support of regional stability, after multiple attacks on Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF).
Key Statements and Focus Area
- Alliance Consolidated: Diplomatic leaders explicitly rejected any actions threatening the security of the Arabian Peninsula.
- Maritime Security Priority: Consultations prioritized protecting economic infrastructure by securing vital international straits.
- Retaliation Framework: Riyadh maintained that protecting domestic infrastructure falls under legal retaliatory rights.
The ministry announced on Wednesday that Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received separate phone calls from Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and Bahraini Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani.
The statement noted that the officials discussed the latest developments in the region and stressed the importance of continuing efforts to de-escalate tensions and safeguard freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, “thereby helping to mitigate the security and economic repercussions of the crisis.”
The statement further noted that the officials renewed their condemnation of attacks attributed to Iran and its affiliated factions in Iraq and Yemen.
“Full solidarity was reaffirmed in confronting anything that threatens the security and stability of the countries of the region, and all acts that undermine regional security and stability were rejected,” the statement added.
The ministry emphasized the importance of continued coordination and consultation to support regional stability and strengthen joint Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) action.
For You: Through Our Lens
The statement comes amid an escalation in regional tensions, following Saudi Arabia's reports this week of drone attacks originating from Iraqi territory that targeted its critical energy infrastructure. Riyadh stated that it retains the right to launch a retaliatory response under international law to protect its critical infrastructure.
American and Saudi forces executed targeted airstrikes in Iraq against regional factions instructed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to attack coalition personnel and Saudi energy facilities, U.S. Central Command stated earlier.
Meanwhile, the PMF confirmed that U.S. and Saudi airstrikes targeted multiple headquarters across Iraq on Wednesday morning, causing casualties and severe structural damage to several properties.
Although the PMF have only confirmed the attack in Basra, security sources indicate that the explosions were not limited to that province. Fighter jets also targeted the headquarters of these groups in the provinces of Babylon, Karbala, and Nineveh.
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