On 17 September, Euronews reported that the Iraqi Defence Ministry rejected a circulated cable alleging Saudi preparations to strike PMF headquarters. The ministry said the cable was not an official document, called its contents baseless and urged media and social-media users not to treat it as reliable intelligence.
- Euronews.com17 Sept, 15:30
“Iraq’s Ministry of Defence denied the authenticity of a circulated document alleging intelligence about Saudi Arabia preparing to target PMF headquarters. The ministry said the circulated cable was not an official document issued by it and that its contents were “baseless.””
نفت وزارة الدفاع العراقية صحة وثيقة متداولة تتحدث عن وجود معلومات استخباراتية بشأن استعداد السعودية لاستهداف مقرات تابعة للحشد الشعبي. وأكدت الوزارة أن البرقية المتداولة لا تمثل وثيقة رسمية صادرة عنها، وأن مضمونها "عارٍ عن الصحة"
by 20 September, a Saudi statement or further Iraqi security documentation would corroborate or reinforce the denial; authenticated intelligence reporting would contest it; any of these moves this file.