Saudi Arabia says air defenses intercepted drones launched from Iraq

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Defense said Saturday that its air defense systems intercepted and destroyed several drones launched from Iraqi territory. The ministry said the drones were aimed at facilities in the Eastern Region, near the border with Jordan. Saudi officials alleged that Iran-backed militia groups were behind the launches. The ministry said the situation was being closely monitored and that all necessary measures had been taken. Riyadh has previously accused Yemen-based Houthis as well as other Iran-aligned groups in the region of carrying out attacks on its territory. The latest claims of drone launches from Iraq could not be independently verified. Separately, the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad urged American citizens to leave Iraq on Friday following recent attack attempts in the capital, according to a separate advisory.