Iraq Seizes Drone-Launching Platform Linked to Attack on Saudi Oil Pipeline

Iraqi security forces have successfully located and seized a drone-launching platform believed to have been used in a recent attack on Saudi Arabia's East-West oil pipeline. Lieutenant General Saad Maan, head of Iraq's Security Media Cell, announced the recovery in a statement published by the state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA) on Saturday, noting that forensic and technical experts are working to identify the perpetrators.

According to Saudi authorities, several drones launched from Iraq struck the pipeline in the Riyadh and Medina regions on Thursday, injuring multiple people and forcing a precautionary shutdown of the critical infrastructure, which carries 4 to 5 percent of the global oil supply. Saudi Arabia ultimately decided against immediate retaliation following a request from Baghdad, instead tracing the launch site to the Maysan province in southeastern Iraq, near the Iranian border.

Al Jazeera’s Mohammed Rammal reported that Iraqi authorities identified the al-Tayeb border district in northeastern Maysan province as the likely launch site, suggesting the use of advanced, long-range drones given the vast distances to Riyadh and Medina. In response to the security breach, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi dismissed several military commanders in border regions, including the Maysan operations commander and the provincial police chief, while temporarily closing select border crossings with Iran for security inspections.

Baghdad is maintaining direct communication with Saudi authorities to share intelligence, and Iraq's commander-in-chief has approved an Iranian request to join the investigation. Lieutenant General Saad Maan emphasized Iraq's commitment to 'preventive sovereignty,' stating that the nation refuses to allow its territory to be used as a launching pad against other countries or to become part of a proxy war.