Iraq dismisses the commander of Maysan operations after attacks on a Saudi oil pipeline
Quick Look
The Iraqi government dismissed the operations commander of Maysan Governorate after it was proven that drone attacks were launched from the governorate’s territory targeting the East-West pipeline in Saudi Arabia, causing damage and damaged pumping stations, while Saudi Arabia affirmed its reserve of the right of response and its support for Iraq’s efforts to prevent the recurrence of attacks.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
In July, US and Saudi forces carried out joint raids on the Iranian-backed Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces militia in response to attacks targeting US forces and Saudi oil facilities.
The Iraqi government announced, on Saturday, the dismissal of the operations commander in Maysan Governorate, against the backdrop of “proven attacks that targeted Saudi Arabia were launched from a location within the governorate.”
The East-West pipeline in the Riyadh and Medina regions of Saudi Arabia was subjected to strikes on Thursday, according to two American officials familiar with the matter.
One US official told CNN that a preliminary analysis showed that the pumping stations, located next to the pipeline itself, had been bombed; In a satellite image taken on Friday, the effects of severe damage resulting from a fire at one of the pumping stations appear, while a photo of another pumping station, taken on Thursday, showed a small fire with thick black smoke rising from it.
According to the official news agency (INA), the Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi, directed the formation of an investigative board against the Maysan Operations Command, while ordering the dismissal of the governorate’s operations commander.
The spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Sabah Al-Numan, said in a statement, “He directed the formation of an investigative board against the Maysan Operations Command.”
He added that he "ordered to relieve the operations commander from his position, against the backdrop of proven attacks that targeted brothers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were launched from a location within the governorate."
The agency also said that Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein stressed to his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the importance of “continuing communication and coordination to support security and stability in the region.”
The media office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, in a statement, that Hussein made a phone call with Prince Faisal bin Farhan
During the call, the depth of the brotherly relations between the Republic of Iraq and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was emphasized, and views were exchanged on the latest developments in the region and developments of common interest.
For its part, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its country's condemnation in the strongest terms of the targeting of the East-West pipeline by "several drones coming from Iraq, resulting in human casualties and some damage that is being treated," according to the official news agency (SPA).
The ministry said, in a statement: “The Kingdom clarifies that, based on the request of the Iraqi Prime Minister, to provide the sister government of Iraq with the opportunity to take measures to prevent attacks launched from Iraqi territory towards the Kingdom and neighboring countries, the Kingdom has chosen not to respond at this stage, and to support the efforts of the Iraqi government.”
The Ministry affirmed that “Saudi Arabia reserves the right to take all measures necessary to protect its sovereignty, security, facilities, citizens, and residents.”
It is noteworthy that, in July, American and Saudi forces carried out joint raids on the Iranian-backed Iraqi “Popular Mobilization Forces” militia in Iraq in response to attacks targeting American forces and Saudi oil facilities.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The Iraqi investigation into the Maysan Operations Command will continue and may lead to additional actions against those involved
Likely · Within weeks
Saudi Arabia will strengthen its border control and intelligence cooperation with Iraq to prevent the recurrence of attacks
Likely · Within months
Open Questions
- Who is actually responsible for launching drones from Maysan?
- What is the exact extent of human and material damage to Saudi pumping stations?
- Will Saudi Arabia take future military measures despite its declaration of restraint?
- What measures will Iraq take to prevent attacks from its territory?
