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Iraq Shuts Border Crossings After Drone Strikes Hit Saudi Pipeline
(MENAFN) Iraq has closed several border crossings following drone attacks on a major Saudi oil pipeline, citing security and administrative measures as authorities investigate reported “breaches and violations.”
The decision was announced Saturday by Iraq’s Security Media Cell, one day after Baghdad confirmed that the drones targeting Saudi Arabia had been launched from an area in the southern Maysan province.
“The relevant security authorities have begun administrative and security arrangements at several border crossings, requiring their closure,” the Security Media Cell said.
Authorities have also introduced “a series of necessary legal measures” while expanding intelligence operations, investigations and inspections to determine how the reported “breaches and violations that occurred at these crossings” took place.
The measures are intended to address the incidents and develop steps to prevent similar events in the future, according to the statement.
Iraqi authorities did not identify which crossings had been shut, explain the nature of the alleged violations or specify when the closures would end. They confirmed, however, that the Zurbatiyah and Al-Mundhiriyah crossings with Iran remained open for passenger movement.
The closures followed Baghdad’s confirmation Friday that the drone attacks against Saudi targets originated from a location in Maysan province.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi ordered the formation of an investigative council to review the actions of the Maysan Operations Command and removed its commander from his post following the incident.
His media office said al-Zaidi stressed that the government “will not tolerate any activity that endangers Iraq or its relations with friendly countries.”
He also reaffirmed Baghdad’s commitment to preventing similar attacks from being carried out in the future.
Saudi Arabia said Friday that its East-West oil pipeline had been struck repeatedly by drones launched from Iraq, with attacks reported in the Riyadh and Medina regions that caused injuries and property damage.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry said Riyadh had agreed, following a request from the Iraqi prime minister, “not to respond at this stage” and instead give Baghdad an opportunity to take action against attacks originating from Iraqi territory targeting Saudi Arabia or other neighboring countries.
Saudi authorities nevertheless emphasized that the kingdom retains the right to take whatever measures it considers necessary to defend its sovereignty, security, infrastructure, citizens and residents.
The Saudi Energy Ministry said the attacks on Thursday had prompted a “precautionary” shutdown of the East-West pipeline.
The decision was announced Saturday by Iraq’s Security Media Cell, one day after Baghdad confirmed that the drones targeting Saudi Arabia had been launched from an area in the southern Maysan province.
“The relevant security authorities have begun administrative and security arrangements at several border crossings, requiring their closure,” the Security Media Cell said.
Authorities have also introduced “a series of necessary legal measures” while expanding intelligence operations, investigations and inspections to determine how the reported “breaches and violations that occurred at these crossings” took place.
The measures are intended to address the incidents and develop steps to prevent similar events in the future, according to the statement.
Iraqi authorities did not identify which crossings had been shut, explain the nature of the alleged violations or specify when the closures would end. They confirmed, however, that the Zurbatiyah and Al-Mundhiriyah crossings with Iran remained open for passenger movement.
The closures followed Baghdad’s confirmation Friday that the drone attacks against Saudi targets originated from a location in Maysan province.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi ordered the formation of an investigative council to review the actions of the Maysan Operations Command and removed its commander from his post following the incident.
His media office said al-Zaidi stressed that the government “will not tolerate any activity that endangers Iraq or its relations with friendly countries.”
He also reaffirmed Baghdad’s commitment to preventing similar attacks from being carried out in the future.
Saudi Arabia said Friday that its East-West oil pipeline had been struck repeatedly by drones launched from Iraq, with attacks reported in the Riyadh and Medina regions that caused injuries and property damage.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry said Riyadh had agreed, following a request from the Iraqi prime minister, “not to respond at this stage” and instead give Baghdad an opportunity to take action against attacks originating from Iraqi territory targeting Saudi Arabia or other neighboring countries.
Saudi authorities nevertheless emphasized that the kingdom retains the right to take whatever measures it considers necessary to defend its sovereignty, security, infrastructure, citizens and residents.
The Saudi Energy Ministry said the attacks on Thursday had prompted a “precautionary” shutdown of the East-West pipeline.
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