US-Saudi strikes prompts Iraq to increase air defence
An Iraqi government spokesperson announced an increase of the country’s air defences and intelligence services after recent US-Saudi strikes reports The New Arab plus agencies on July 31st.
Sabah al-Numan, an Iraqi government spokesperson said after pro-Iran militants were killed by US-Saudi air strikes on July 28th, “strict and immediate orders” were issued by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zadi to increase military “alertness and readiness to the maximum”.
The increased air defence abilities includes completing plans to arm modern radars, early detection and air defence systems. Additional resources will be allocated to the intelligence services with an emphasis on “restricting weapons to the state” and the prevention of “individual irresponsible actions”.
Al-Numan stressed that official army bases and the Hashed al-Shabbi were key areas on high alert. The Hashed al-Shabbi is an armed Iraqi alliance made up of Iraqi armed forces and pro-Iran militant groups, however, the militant groups are known for making unilateral attacks. These groups were targeted in the US-Saudi strikes which resulted in the deaths of 20 fighters, 5 of which were Iranians.
These strikes occurred after officials in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia said they had intercepted drones targeting oil facilities. They believe pro-Iran groups in Iraq were the cause.
The US became involved in the strikes as they have been calling on Iraqi authorities to disarm pro-Iran groups. Many of these groups have attacked US facilities in Iraq to protest the ongoing conflict between Iran and the US.
Iraqi officials have repeatedly denied accusations of initiating attacks on any neighboring countries through cross-border groups. Zadi has pledged to disarm the pro-Iran groups.
Militant groups in Iraq who operate as part of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq movement have denied attacking Saudi Arabia. Since the US-Saudi strikes, these groups have issued a warning that their response is “inevitable”.
The New Arab plus agencies, Maghrebi.org
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