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Iraq Shuts Border Crossings After Drone Strikes Hit Saudi Oil Pipeline
(MENAFN) Iraqi authorities ordered the closure of multiple border crossings Saturday, citing "administrative and security" measures and an investigation into unspecified "breaches and violations," a day after Baghdad confirmed that drone strikes on a major Saudi oil pipeline had originated from Iraqi territory.
Iraq's Security Media Cell said in a statement that relevant security bodies had launched administrative and security arrangements at several crossings that necessitated shutting them down, though it did not specify which crossings were affected. The cell said authorities had also rolled out a series of necessary legal measures and ramped up intelligence work, investigations and inspections to determine what led to the "breaches and violations that occurred at these crossings." Officials said the goal was to pinpoint fixes and head off any repeat incidents, though no timeline for reopening was given.
The cell did confirm that the Zurbatiyah and Al-Mundhiriyah crossings on the Iranian border remain open for passenger traffic.
The closures followed Iraq's admission Friday that the drones used in the Saudi strikes had launched from a site in the southern Maysan province. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi responded by ordering an investigative council to review the Maysan Operations Command and removing its commander over the episode. His media office said al-Zaidi stressed the government "will not tolerate any activity that endangers Iraq or its relations with friendly countries," and vowed continued efforts to prevent similar attacks going forward.
The fallout stems from Saudi Arabia's Friday disclosure that its East-West oil pipeline had come under repeated drone fire launched from Iraq, striking the Riyadh and Medina regions and causing injuries and property damage. The Saudi Foreign Ministry said the kingdom agreed, at the Iraqi prime minister's request, "not to respond at this stage," opting instead to let Baghdad move to prevent further cross-border attacks against Saudi Arabia and neighboring states. Riyadh nonetheless underscored that it retains the right to take whatever action is necessary to safeguard its sovereignty, security, infrastructure, citizens and residents.
The Saudi Energy Ministry said Thursday's strikes forced a "precautionary" shutdown of the East-West pipeline.
Iraq's Security Media Cell said in a statement that relevant security bodies had launched administrative and security arrangements at several crossings that necessitated shutting them down, though it did not specify which crossings were affected. The cell said authorities had also rolled out a series of necessary legal measures and ramped up intelligence work, investigations and inspections to determine what led to the "breaches and violations that occurred at these crossings." Officials said the goal was to pinpoint fixes and head off any repeat incidents, though no timeline for reopening was given.
The cell did confirm that the Zurbatiyah and Al-Mundhiriyah crossings on the Iranian border remain open for passenger traffic.
The closures followed Iraq's admission Friday that the drones used in the Saudi strikes had launched from a site in the southern Maysan province. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi responded by ordering an investigative council to review the Maysan Operations Command and removing its commander over the episode. His media office said al-Zaidi stressed the government "will not tolerate any activity that endangers Iraq or its relations with friendly countries," and vowed continued efforts to prevent similar attacks going forward.
The fallout stems from Saudi Arabia's Friday disclosure that its East-West oil pipeline had come under repeated drone fire launched from Iraq, striking the Riyadh and Medina regions and causing injuries and property damage. The Saudi Foreign Ministry said the kingdom agreed, at the Iraqi prime minister's request, "not to respond at this stage," opting instead to let Baghdad move to prevent further cross-border attacks against Saudi Arabia and neighboring states. Riyadh nonetheless underscored that it retains the right to take whatever action is necessary to safeguard its sovereignty, security, infrastructure, citizens and residents.
The Saudi Energy Ministry said Thursday's strikes forced a "precautionary" shutdown of the East-West pipeline.
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