Iraq has officially acknowledged that the drone strikes on Saudi Arabia's east-west oil pipeline were launched from Iraqi territory, and has dismissed the commander of the area from which the attack was carried out, according to The Zioneer. The confirmation follows a second attack on the pipeline within two days, which The Zioneer reported earlier Saturday.
Iraq has officially acknowledged that the drone strikes on Saudi Arabia's east-west oil pipeline were launched from its territory, and has dismissed the commander of the area from which the attack was carried out, according to The Zioneer. The confirmation came Saturday, following a second attack on the pipeline within two days — which The Zioneer reported at 07:41 Jerusalem — and marks a significant escalation in Baghdad's accountability after days of escalating tensions.
The thread began Thursday, when satellite imagery analyzed by open-source intelligence confirmed the complete destruction of a pumping station on the pipeline. By Friday evening, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Energy announced the temporary shutdown of the pipeline, reporting injuries and damage. Several hours later, Saudi Foreign Ministry formally attributed the attack to launches from Iraq, not the Houthis, and stated it would not retaliate at the request of Iraq's prime minister. Iraq subsequently dismissed the operations officer of Misan province, from where the drones were reportedly launched. Early Saturday, a second attack struck multiple points along the pipeline, prompting Saudi Arabia to again report injuries and material damage.
The Zioneer has previously reported on the expanding role of Iraqi-based, Iran-aligned Shia militias as a launchpad for attacks on Saudi infrastructure. Background reporting indicated that the IRGC coordinates these operations, with Iraqi territory increasingly used to strike Gulf energy targets.
The identity of the dismissed area commander has not been disclosed, nor has Iraq announced further measures to prevent future strikes. The timeline for pipeline repairs and whether Riyadh will exercise its reserved right to retaliate also remain open.
8 developments
- StrongAramco shuts down pipeline in Al-Baqi and Riyadh area after Yemeni attack, reports say
- StrongHouthi spokesman: Drone strike targeted Saudi oil facilities from east to Yanbu
- StrongIraqi Militias Deny Firing on Saudi Oil Pipeline, Claim 'Israeli-American Scheme'
- StrongOil loading halted at all Iraqi export terminals after drone strike on Basra tanker
Source and signal
- Open-source intake