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GCC urges Iraq to take action after attack on Saudi oil pipeline
GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi condemned Friday’s drone attack on the East-West Petroleum Pipeline in Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh and Medina regions. Riyadh said some people were injured and the pipeline was damaged, but chose not to retaliate at this stage.
Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi called on Iraq to act after a drone attack targeted the East-West Petroleum Pipeline in Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh and Medina regions. Albudaiwi called for decisive measures to prevent Iraqi territory from being used for such attacks.
Saudi Arabia said the attack was launched from Iraq, that some people were injured and that the pipeline was damaged. Riyadh also decided not to retaliate at this stage.
GCC declares solidarity with Saudi Arabia
Albudaiwi described the attack as an unacceptable threat to Saudi Arabia’s security, territorial integrity and strategic facilities. The GCC secretary-general said the incident constituted a clear violation of the principles of international law.
Stating that the GCC stood in full solidarity with Saudi Arabia, Albudaiwi said they supported the measures Riyadh would take to protect its security, stability, facilities, citizens and residents.
East-West pipeline closed as a precaution
Saudi Arabia temporarily shut down the East-West Petroleum Pipeline on Thursday morning after several drones headed toward the pipeline in the Riyadh and Medina regions. The Energy Ministry said some of those injured received medical treatment and that the attacks damaged the pipeline.
Emergency response teams and technical teams were deployed to secure the facility and assess the situation. Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry said the drones came from Iraq.
Riyadh announced its decision not to retaliate after the Iraqi prime minister asked to be given the opportunity to prevent Baghdad from allowing new attacks to be launched from Iraqi territory. Saudi Arabia said it supported Iraq’s efforts while reserving the right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty, security and infrastructure.
Investigation launched in Iraq
Iraq condemned the attack and said its territory and airspace would not be used as launch points for attacks against any country. Iraqi Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ali al-Zaydi called for an investigation into the incident and legal action against those found to have been involved in the attack.
Tensions between Riyadh and Baghdad
Tensions between the two countries rose in July after Saudi Arabia said it had intercepted drones that it reported had been sent from Iraq toward oil facilities in the Eastern Province and the Riyadh region. Riyadh held Iran-backed militias responsible for the attacks and called on Baghdad to prevent Iraqi territory from being used for attacks against the kingdom.
Iraq later established a joint security committee aimed at preventing unauthorized attacks against neighboring countries. Tensions escalated further on July 29, when U.S. and Saudi forces attacked sites belonging to Iran-aligned Popular Mobilization Forces in Iraq.
The Popular Mobilization Forces said 20 of its members were killed and 32 wounded in the attacks. Saudi Arabia said the operation was carried out in self-defense after attacks on oil facilities launched from Iraq.
Strategic route to the Red Sea
The East-West Petroleum Pipeline provides Saudi Arabia with a strategic alternative for exporting crude oil through the Red Sea. The pipeline’s importance increased further at a time when maritime transport through the Strait of Hormuz was severely disrupted.
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