Saudi Arabia shuts East-West Pipeline after drone attacks from Iraq, injuries reported

Saudi Arabia said Friday that it had shut down its East-West Pipeline after it was hit by multiple drone attacks originating from Iraq in the Riyadh and Madinah regions Thursday, leaving several people injured and causing damage.

An official source at the Energy Ministry, in a statement, said the attacks took place on Thursday morning.

The source said the oil pipeline was shut down “as a precautionary measure” following the attacks.

A number of people were injured and received medical care, the ministry said, without specifying the number of casualties or their condition.

Emergency and specialized technical teams responded immediately and took measures to secure the pipeline and assess its safety.

The ministry said any further developments will be announced in due course.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the attacks, saying the pipeline was targeted by several drones coming from Iraq.

It said the attacks caused injuries and some damage that authorities are working to repair.

Riyadh said it decided not to retaliate "at this stage" after Iraq’s prime minister requested that Saudi Arabia allow Baghdad to take measures to prevent attacks launched from Iraqi territory against the kingdom and neighboring countries.

Saudi Arabia said it supports the Iraqi government's efforts to prevent the attacks.

The kingdom stressed, however, that it reserves the right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty, security, facilities, citizens, and residents.

In response, Iraq condemned the attacks and rejected any assault that threatens the kingdom's security and stability or harms relations between the two countries.

Iraq orders investigation into attack

The prime minister's media office said Baghdad welcomes Saudi Arabia's decision to respond positively to Iraqi efforts to contain the situation, describing the move as reflecting Riyadh's concern for Iraq's security and stability and its commitment to bilateral relations.

Iraqi Prime Minister and Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Ali al-Zaidi ordered an investigation into the circumstances of the attacks and the parties behind them, according to the statement.

He also directed authorities to take legal action against anyone found to have been involved, stressing that the state would not tolerate activities that endanger Iraq or its relations with neighboring and friendly countries.

The government said it would continue working with regional and international partners to prevent similar attacks and uphold the principles of good-neighborly relations.

Baghdad reiterated that Iraqi territory and airspace "will not be a launching point for attacks against any country," stressing that its policy is based on respecting the sovereignty of other states and preventing Iraq from becoming an arena for regional confrontation.

Tensions between Riyadh and Baghdad rose sharply in late July after Saudi Arabia said it intercepted several drones launched from Iraq that were attempting to strike oil facilities in the Eastern Province and Riyadh region. Saudi Arabia blamed Iranian-backed militias and urged Baghdad to prevent Iraqi territory from being used as a launching point for attacks against the kingdom.

Iraqi authorities pledged to prevent unauthorized attacks against neighboring states and subsequently formed a joint security committee to develop measures aimed at preventing violations.

The dispute escalated again on July 29 when US and Saudi forces carried out strikes against sites belonging to the Iranian-aligned Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) in Iraq. The PMF said 20 members were killed and 32 wounded.

Saudi Arabia said the operation was carried out in self-defense following attacks from Iraq on its petroleum facilities.