Iraq closes several border crossings after Saudi pipeline drone strikes

BAGHDAD: Iraq has closed several border crossings as part of heightened security and administrative measures following drone attacks on a major Saudi oil pipeline that Baghdad said were launched from its territory.

Iraq’s Security Media Cell said Saturday that the closures were ordered after authorities detected unspecified “breaches and violations” at the crossings and launched investigations into the incidents.

“The relevant security authorities have begun administrative and security arrangements at several border crossings, requiring their closure,” the cell said in a statement.

It said authorities had also taken “a series of necessary legal measures” and stepped up intelligence gathering, investigations and inspections to determine the circumstances surrounding the violations.

The measures are intended to identify appropriate solutions and prevent similar incidents from occurring again, the statement said.

The Security Media Cell did not identify the crossings that were closed, specify the violations involved or say how long the closures would remain in effect.

It confirmed, however, that the Zurbatiyah and Al-Mundhiriyah crossings on Iraq’s border with Iran remained open to passenger traffic.

The move came a day after Baghdad confirmed that drones used in attacks targeting Saudi Arabia had been launched from a location in Maysan province in southern Iraq.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi ordered an investigative council to examine the conduct of the Maysan Operations Command and dismissed its commander following the incident.

His media office said al-Zaidi stressed that the government “will not tolerate any activity that endangers Iraq or its relations with friendly countries.”

He also reaffirmed that the government would continue working to prevent similar attacks from being launched from Iraqi territory.

Saudi Arabia said on Friday that its East-West oil pipeline had been targeted several times by drones originating from Iraq in the Riyadh and Medina regions, causing injuries and material damage.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry said Riyadh had agreed, at the request of the Iraqi prime minister, “not to respond at this stage” and would give Baghdad an opportunity to take measures to prevent attacks from Iraqi territory against Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries.

Saudi Arabia nevertheless stressed that it reserved the right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty, security, infrastructure, citizens and residents.

The Saudi Energy Ministry said Thursday’s attacks had forced a “precautionary” shutdown of the East-West pipeline.