Iraqi PM Fires Commander Over Drone Attacks on Saudi Pipeline
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi dismissed a regional military commander after drones targeting Saudi Arabia's strategic oil pipeline were launched from Maysan province.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi dismissed the military operations commander in Iraq's southern Maysan province, Jalil Abd al-Rida Muhammad, following a government investigation that determined drones attacking targets in Saudi Arabia this week were launched from within the province. Al-Zaidi, who also serves as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, ordered an inquiry into the command's performance and accountability.
Saudi Pipeline Attack
The move followed Saudi Arabia's announcement that several drones launched from Iraq struck the strategic East-West oil pipeline in the Riyadh and Medina regions. The Saudi Ministry of Energy reported that Thursday morning's strikes caused several injuries, damage, and the precautionary shutdown of the pipeline, which connects the kingdom's eastern fields to the Red Sea port of Yanbu.
"The decision was made after it was proven that the attacks targeting our brothers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia originated from a site within the province," said military spokesperson Sabah al-Nouman.
Security and Regional Context
Maysan province borders Iran and hosts pro-Iranian Shia militias that maintain independent weapons. Baghdad fears being dragged into a wider regional conflict amid tensions between the US and Iran, prompting Iraq to temporarily close the Shalamcheh border crossing with Iran as part of heightened security measures.
