UAE, Qatar, Kuwait condemn Iraq-based drone attack on Saudi Arabia

The United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Kuwait issued strong condemnations on Monday of a drone attack targeting Saudi Arabia, after the kingdom's air defenses intercepted three unmanned aircraft that entered its airspace from neighboring Iraq, according to official statements.

Gulf solidarity

The UAE Foreign Ministry described the assault as a "violation of the sovereignty of the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a threat to its security and stability," emphasizing Abu Dhabi's "full solidarity" with Riyadh. Qatar's Foreign Ministry issued a similar condemnation, calling the strike "a violation of the Kingdom's sovereignty, and a threat to its security and safety and to the security of the region," and renewed Doha's pledge of "full solidarity" with all measures to preserve Saudi security.

Kuwait's Foreign Ministry expressed its "strong condemnation and denunciation of the aggression," characterizing the attack as "a continuation of the series of blatant violations of international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, particularly Resolution 2817." The ministry stressed that such actions undermine regional security and affirmed that Kuwait stands alongside Saudi Arabia "in all measures it takes to preserve its security and stability."

Saudi position

The Saudi Defense Ministry announced on Sunday that it "reserves the right to respond at the appropriate time and place" following the interception of the three unmanned aircraft. Riyadh did not identify the party responsible for launching the drones, stating only that they entered Saudi airspace from Iraq, according to the official Saudi Press Agency.

Regional tensions

The incident comes amid heightened tensions across the Middle East since the United States and Israel launched military strikes against Iran in February, prompting Tehran to retaliate against American allies in the Gulf and block the strategic Strait of Hormuz. A ceasefire took effect on April 8 through Pakistani mediation, though subsequent talks in Islamabad failed to produce a lasting agreement, leading US President Donald Trump to extend the truce indefinitely earlier this month.