ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi on Monday directed relevant authorities to launch an investigation into recent drone attacks on Saudi Arabia which Riyadh claimed were launched from Iraqi territory.

Saudi Arabia said Monday that its forces intercepted several drone attacks launched earlier in the day from Iraqi territory by Iran-backed proxy groups, and reaffirmed its “legitimate right” to defend its sovereignty.

Sabah al-Numan, Zaidi’s military spokesperson, said in a statement the prime minister has ordered a probe into the Saudi statement and the attacks mentioned therein, while reiterating that Baghdad will not allow Iraqi territory become a source of threat to its neighbors.

“The Iraqi government affirms its constitutional and unwavering commitment to the principles of good neighborliness and will not allow Iraqi territory to be used as a corridor or launching pad for any aggression targeting brotherly or friendly nations. It is currently investigating the evidence and information and will take legal action against anyone proven to be involved in such acts, based on the results of the investigations,” read the statement attributed to Numan.

The spokesperson highlighted the long-standing relations between Baghdad and Riyadh, owing to “mutual respect, shared interests, and the principles of good neighborliness,” and stressed that Iraq “will not allow any attempt to undermine or harm these relations.”

The Gulf states have repeatedly been targeted by Iran and its aligned factions during both the current and previous phases of the US-Iran conflict, with Iraq having drawn diplomatic backlash because of the alleged involvement of pro-Iran Iraqi militias in carrying out drone and missile strikes on regional countries.

Saudi state media urged “the Iraqi government to take all necessary measures to ensure the prevention of the use of its territory as a launching point for aggression” in the wake of Monday's attacks.

Earlier on Monday, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said a recent spate of drone strikes that targeted the Region’s capital of Erbil originated from the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, calling on the federal government to hold the perpetrators accountable.

Since taking office, Zaidi has led a renewed drive to disarm armed groups and restrict weapons to state control. The initiative is heavily backed by Washington, which has long pushed for the groups, many of which have strong ties to Iran, to be disarmed.