Diplomatic contact was established between Iraq and Saudi Arabia after drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia. Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan spoke by phone on Friday evening about regional developments, areas of mutual interest and coordination between the two countries.
Iraq’s Foreign Ministry said the talks highlighted the depth of the fraternal relations between Iraq and Saudi Arabia. The ministers stressed the importance of maintaining communication, coordination and consultations between Baghdad and Riyadh to support regional security and stability.
Attacks launched from an area in Maysan province
The attacks were announced to have been launched from a location in Maysan province in southeastern Iraq. The media office of Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zeidi announced that an investigative council would be formed regarding the Maysan Operations Command and that orders had been issued to remove its commander.
The decision came after it was determined that the attacks against Saudi Arabia had been launched from an area within the province.
East-West oil pipeline closed
Saudi Arabia announced the precautionary closure of the East-West oil pipeline after multiple attacks in the Riyadh and Medina regions. People were injured and property was damaged in the attacks.
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry said the attacks were carried out using multiple drones launched from Iraq. An official at Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry also said the pipeline had been targeted several times on Thursday morning.
Officials did not disclose the extent of the damage to the pipeline and pumping stations or how long the precautionary closure would last.
Petroline stretches about 1,200 kilometers
The East-West oil pipeline, also known as Petroline, stretches for about 1,200 kilometers between Abqaiq in eastern Saudi Arabia and Yanbu on the Red Sea coast.
With a daily capacity of about 7 million barrels of crude oil, the pipeline is used as a strategic overland route that enables oil shipments without passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
