RIYADH — Saudi Arabia's armed forces, in coordination with the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), carried out precision strikes on Wednesday against Iran-backed militia targets in Iraq linked to recent drone attacks on the Kingdom's oil facilities, the Ministry of Defense announced.Defense Ministry spokesperson Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Malki said the operation followed attempted drone attacks on oil facilities in the Eastern Province and Riyadh region on Monday and Tuesday, which Saudi air defenses intercepted and destroyed. He said those attacks originated from Iraqi territory and were carried out by Iran-backed terrorist militias.Al-Malki said the military operation was conducted in line with Saudi Arabia's inherent right to self-defense under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter and targeted militia sites connected to the attacks on the Kingdom's energy infrastructure.He reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's right to defend its people, national capabilities and critical infrastructure, and said the Kingdom retains the right to respond to aggression at a time and place of its choosing.The ministry stressed that Saudi Arabia does not seek escalation but will respond to any attack against the Kingdom.