Saudi official says airstrikes not aimed at Iraq's people or government

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — A Saudi official source said that recent airstrikes do not target Iraq's people or its government, adding that Riyadh values its relations with Baghdad at both the governmental and popular levels. The source said the operations were directed at groups that threaten Saudi Arabia's security and target its civilian facilities, after diplomatic and political channels had been exhausted. The official accused these groups of acting against Iraq's interests and its ties with Arab and Islamic countries, using Iraqi territory to launch attacks against neighboring states. The source also claimed that parties inside and outside Iraq have attempted to frame the strikes as an effort to inflame sectarian tensions. No further details were immediately available.