Iraq closes Iranian border crossings and sacks Maysan commander after Saudi pipeline attack

BAGHDAD — Iraq closed three border crossings with Iran and dismissed the commander of Maysan Operations on Saturday after Saudi Arabia said drones launched from Iraqi territory struck its East-West oil pipeline, with Riyadh saying it would hold off retaliating at Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s request.

The drones were launched from Maysan governorate, near the Iranian border, said Sabah al-Numan, spokesperson for the commander-in-chief. Zaidi then dismissed the Maysan Operations commander and ordered an investigative council to identify those responsible. The attack hit the pipeline in the Riyadh and Medina regions, causing injuries and material damage, according to Saudi Arabia, which said it retained the right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty, citizens and infrastructure.

The Shalamcheh, Shib and Mandali crossings with Iran were ordered shut, leaving dozens of Iraqi families and travellers stranded at Shalamcheh in Basra. The Security Media Cell gave a different reason for the closures, describing administrative and security reorganisation at a number of crossings after “breaches and violations” there. “A series of necessary legal measures has been taken, intelligence work has been intensified, and investigations and scrutiny are underway to determine the circumstances of the breaches and violations that occurred at these crossings,” it said. Zurbatiyah and Mundhiriya remain open to passengers. Basra International Airport is operating normally, its director Ali Abdul Redha said, rejecting reports that flights had been suspended.

The government condemned the attack and said Iraqi territory and airspace would not be allowed to serve as a launch point against other countries. The Gulf Cooperation Council urged Baghdad to take firm measures to prevent it. Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein spoke by phone with his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan, with both agreeing to maintain coordination.

Saudi Arabia struck Iraq the last time this happened. After Riyadh accused Iran-aligned Iraqi militias of drone attacks on its oil facilities in late July, U.S. and Saudi aircraft hit PMF sites across Baghdad, Wasit, Nineveh, Basra, Kirkuk, Karbala and Diyala on July 29, killing at least 20 members and wounding 32. Iraq condemned those strikes as a violation of sovereignty. Riyadh also said in May that it intercepted three drones entering its airspace from Iraq, after which Baghdad opened an investigation and said its own air defences had not detected them.