Iraq closes Iran border crossing, dismisses commander after drone attack on Saudi pipeline

Darwin, September 13 : Iraq has closed a key border crossing with Iran following a drone attack launched from Iraqi territory that targeted Saudi Arabia’s oil pipeline. Baghdad has also dismissed a military commander responsible for operations in Iraq’s Maysan province over the incident.

Two Iraqi security sources told Reuters that the Shalamcheh border crossing with Iran was ordered closed as a precaution following the latest drone attack.

The sources also said Iraqi authorities had launched a wide-ranging operation across the country to arrest those involved in the attack.

In a statement, the Iraqi prime minister’s office said an investigation had confirmed that the latest drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia originated from Iraqi territory. As a result, a military commander responsible for military operations in the southern province of Maysan was dismissed.

Saudi Arabia had earlier said that several drones launched from Iraq targeted its East-West oil pipeline in the Riyadh and Medina regions. The attacks reportedly injured several people and damaged parts of the pipeline.

Following the attacks, Saudi authorities temporarily suspended the pipeline’s operations as a precautionary measure.

In an effort to ease tensions with Saudi Arabia, the Iraqi government has pledged to take action against those responsible. Baghdad also reiterated that Iraqi territory and airspace would not be allowed to be used to launch attacks against any country.