Iraq’s new administration moves to repair regional ties after Gulf attacks

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The newly appointed executive and legislative leaders in Baghdad have reaffirmed their rejection of recent attacks targeting Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which reportedly originated from Iraq. The statements come as the new Iraqi administration seems keen on repairing ties with regional partners after months of strain, largely driven by the involvement of Iran-aligned Iraqi armed groups in attacks on their territory.

“We reiterate our condemnation and denunciation of the criminal act that targeted the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates,” Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi said in a Thursday post on X, stressing Baghdad’s “rejection of the use of Iraq’s land and airspace as a launchpad for attacks against sisterly and friendly countries, and affirming that Iraq is a space for shared interests and cooperation.”

He added that “a high-level investigative committee” has been formed to work jointly with the relevant authorities in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh to uncover the circumstances surrounding “these criminal attacks,” stressing “the importance of conducting a joint investigation.”

Iraqi government Spokesperson Sabah al-Numan on Wednesday announced the formation of a “special committee” to liaise with the relevant authorities in both countries, quoting Zaidi as instructing that “all necessary measures be taken against those involved if it is proven that Iraqi territory was used as a launch point for the attacks.”

For his part, Iraqi Parliament Speaker Haibet al-Halbousi echoed al-Zaidi’s condemnation on Thursday, affirming “Iraq’s firm position rejecting the use of Iraqi territory or its airspace to attack sisterly Arab countries and friendly regional states.”

“Any individual or group seeking to threaten Iraq’s security and that of the region or undermine its stability will not be tolerated,” Halbousi asserted.

The statements come after Abu Dhabi on Wednesday “condemned in the strongest terms the unprovoked terrorist drone attacks launched from Iraqi territory, including an attack targeting the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant on Sunday."

A day earlier, the Emirati defense ministry said its investigation confirmed that three drones targeted the critical facility, noting that the attack “originated from Iraqi territory” and while two drones were intercepted, “the third struck an electrical generator outside the plant’s inner perimeter.”

Abu Dhabi further urged Baghdad to “prevent all acts of aggression launched from its territory" and work towards enhancing its position as “an active and responsible regional partner.”

Meanwhile, Saudi defense ministry Spokesperson Major General Turki al-Malki on Sunday stated that “on the morning of Sunday, May 17, 2026, three drones were intercepted and destroyed after entering Saudi Arabia’s airspace from Iraq.”

The remarks also come as Zaidi, who took office as prime minister in mid-May, appears keen to emphasize the importance he attaches to ties with regional Arab neighbors, particularly following strains seen under the previous administration.

The US and Israel launched a large-scale aerial campaign against Iran in late February, striking thousands of targets across the country during six weeks of hostilities.

In response, Iran carried out thousands of drone and missile strikes across the Middle East, targeting alleged US assets - particularly in Gulf Arab states - as well as launching retaliatory attacks against Israel.

The Iranian response has also included strikes by factions aligned with the Iran-led ‘Axis of Resistance’, including by shadowy armed groups in Iraq that have claimed numerous attacks against alleged US targets in the country and the wider region.

In mid-April, the UAE handed the chargé d’affaires at the Iraqi embassy a “strongly worded” letter of protest over what it described as “terrorist attacks” launched from Iraqi territory by Iran-aligned armed groups targeting facilities in Gulf Arab states, despite the ongoing truce.

Abu Dhabi then warned that the continuation of such attacks places ties with Baghdad “under highly sensitive strain.”