Iraqi authorities have expanded security measures and their investigation following drone attacks on Saudi Arabia’s East–West oil pipeline in the areas of Riyadh and Medina. Saudi Arabia said the drones had been launched from Iraqi territory, while Baghdad confirmed that they had taken off from Maysan province in the country’s southeast. Iraq’s leadership has begun searching for those involved and inspecting the launch sites.
Security forces carried out raids in the Jazirat al-Tayeb area, finding traces and evidence near the Duweirij River indicating that drones had been launched there. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi also agreed to Iran’s proposal to conduct a joint investigation into launch platforms found near the border. According to Reuters, one of the border areas with Iran was closed after objects linked to the attacks were discovered. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq group, meanwhile, denied accusations that it had attacked Saudi facilities.
After Maysan’s involvement was confirmed, the prime minister dismissed the province’s operations commander and police chief and referred the heads of local security agencies for investigation. General Ali Abd al-Hussein Kazem was appointed as the province’s new commander, and an investigative committee was established to assess the work of the joint security body. Administrative and operational measures were temporarily strengthened at some border crossings; the Shalamjah crossing was closed as a precaution, although movement between Iraq and Iran continued through the Zurbatiyah and al-Munthiriya crossings.
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry said Riyadh had decided for now not to respond with force and to support the actions of the Iraqi government. The decision was made after Iraq’s prime minister asked Riyadh to give Baghdad time to prevent attacks launched from its territory. Saudi Arabia retained the right to take any measures necessary to protect its sovereignty, security, facilities, citizens and residents. The attacks caused casualties and damage, and the pipeline’s operation was temporarily suspended while its safety was inspected.
The attacks came after similar attempts on July 27, when Saudi Arabia also said that drones had been launched from Iraq by armed groups linked to Iran. Baghdad faced a serious challenge: it must identify those responsible, demonstrate control over its territory and prevent further conflict with Saudi Arabia and other countries in the region. The East–West oil pipeline, known as Petroline, stretches approximately 1,200 kilometers from Abqaiq to Yanbu and can transport up to 7 million barrels of oil per day to the Red Sea, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.
News Commentary
How do Iraq’s historical and political relations with Iran affect the presence of Iran-linked armed groups in Maysan province and Baghdad’s ability to control border areas? — Iraq’s longstanding ties with Iran, which grew particularly stronger after the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime and the fight against the Islamic State*, helped consolidate pro-Iranian political parties and armed groups. In Maysan, which borders Iran, this facilitates the movement of people, weapons and goods and expands such groups’ influence over local authorities and the economy. Formally, security is controlled by Baghdad, but in practice, weak state institutions, competition among security agencies and local ties make it difficult to exercise full control over the border.
Why is the East–West oil pipeline, or Petroline, which runs to the port of Yanbu, strategically important for Saudi Arabia and global oil supplies, particularly amid threats to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz? — The pipeline allows Saudi Arabia to transport oil from fields in the country’s east to the port of Yanbu on the Red Sea, bypassing the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. It therefore provides an alternative export route in the event of military escalation, attacks or the blocking of shipping through the strait, a route through which a significant share of global oil trade passes. However, its capacity is limited compared with Saudi Arabia’s total export volume, so it reduces risks but does not eliminate them entirely.
How is the system for managing and coordinating security forces organized in Iraq’s provinces, and why did responsibility for the attacks lead to the dismissal of local commanders and a review of the joint security body? — In Iraq, security responsibilities are divided among federal forces, the army, police, Interior Ministry units, the Popular Mobilization Forces and, in some areas, local formations. Their coordination is generally carried out through provincial operations commands and joint committees, but their mandates may overlap and intelligence-sharing may be insufficiently effective. When attacks occur despite the presence of several security structures, the authorities view this as a failure of command and coordination. The dismissal of local leaders and review of the joint security body are therefore intended to establish who was responsible for preventing the attacks, identify shortcomings in information-sharing and redistribute responsibility.
Full version: “East–West” attack... Iraq discovers traces of drone launches and closes border area