Iraq is facing a test of sovereignty after acknowledging that attacks on a key Saudi oil pipeline were launched from its territory. The government confirmed on Saturday that the attacks took place on Friday night, as Saudi Arabia suspended the pipeline and called on Baghdad to act.
Saudi Arabia shut down the pipeline on Friday, describing the move as a “precautionary measure” after a drone attack the previous day. It said it would refrain from retaliation and would give Baghdad “an opportunity to take the necessary measures.”
The Iraqi government responded by dismissing the military commander and police chief in Maysan province, which lies on the Iranian border.
The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), an alliance of Iran-backed Iraqi militias, denied involvement.
The case exposes a central difficulty for Baghdad. The militias are formally incorporated into Iraq's security forces, yet some groups within them sometimes act independently. Baghdad is also under pressure from the United States to rein in Iran-backed militias operating inside the country.
US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Iran was “probably” responsible for the pipeline attack. The Iraqi government has confirmed where the attack originated.
The episode comes during wider regional tensions involving groups aligned with Tehran. The Houthis and some Iraqi Shiite armed groups belong to what Tehran calls the “Axis of Resistance.”
The Yemeni armed group has imposed a blockade on Saudi Arabia since July. It seized the Red Sea port city of Mokha on Thursday and captured the island of Perim after a weeklong offensive.
Saudi Arabia's decision to suspend the pipeline while withholding retaliation places the immediate burden on Iraq to show it can prevent attacks from its soil. Baghdad has taken action against senior officials in Maysan.
The extent of damage to the pipeline infrastructure has not been set out. It is also unclear whether other countries will respond or what lay behind the timing of the attack.
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