Baghdad Concerned Over Saudi-Led War Games Near Iraqi Border

Iraqi authorities are concerned over the large-scale military drills by the Saudi-led coalition near the Iraqi-Saudi border, as they have not been coordinated with Baghdad, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry told Sputnik on Wednesday.

BAGHDAD (Sputnik) — On February 14, Saudi Arabia launched large-scale military exercises, dubbed the Northern Thunder, in the north of the country, with the participation of ground and air forces from Egypt, Sudan, Jordan and other Arab and Islamic countries that are a part of the Saudi-led anti-terrorism coalition.

The drills, which reportedly involve some 150,000 servicemen, are expected to continue until March 10.

"We have heard of military exercises in Saudi Arabia, which involve not only the United States and Saudi Arabia, but also 34 coalition countries. We have not been informed of any exercises near the Iraqi border and, of course, it is the cause of worry," ministry's spokesman Ahmed Jamal said.