Pakistan, Aug. 1 -- Saudi Arabia said it wants stronger relations with Iraq, stating that recent air strikes targeted armed militias and not the Iraqi government or people. The statement came after attacks on alleged militia positions in Iraq.

A Saudi government official said the strikes were aimed at armed groups that posed security threats to Saudi Arabia. According to Arab media reports, the official said Riyadh values its relationship with Iraq and its people.

Read more: US, Saudi forces launch airstrikes in Iraq as regional tensions rise

The official said armed militias had targeted Saudi civilian and economic infrastructure, including important sites and petroleum facilities. Moreover, he stated that the Saudi response followed m...