Baghdad confirms attack on Saudi pipeline came from Iraq
Saudi Arabia has said it will not relatiate and wants Iraq to "take the necessary measures." Baghdad is under pressure from the United States to rein in Iran-backed militias.
Iraq's government announced on Saturday that Friday night attacks on a critical Saudi oil pipeline originated from Iraqi soil. Saudi Arabia immediately shut down the pipeline, citing it as a precautionary measure following a drone strike the previous day. Riyadh pledged not to retaliate, expressing a desire to grant Baghdad a chance to implement necessary measures.
Despite no group claiming responsibility, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), an alliance of Iran-backed Iraqi militias, denied involvement. The PMF, while officially part of Iraq's security forces, occasionally operates independently. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump attributed the pipeline attack to Iran, though he also appeared to minimize tensions between the US and Saudi Arabia over the Houthis, an Iran-backed militia controlling parts of Yemen.
The Houthis and certain Iraqi Shiite armed groups are part of Iran's 'Axis of Resistance,' opposing the US and Israel. The Houthis have blocked the Red Sea since July and seized the Mokha port city on Thursday. Although Iraq faces US pressure to control Iran-aligned militias, several groups have refused to comply with a September 30 disarmament deadline, which aligns with the withdrawal of US-led coalition forces from Iraq.
Kataib Hezbollah, a prominent militia, has strongly opposed the disarmament plan, demanding guarantees that US forces will not return and measures to diminish US influence in Iraq's political and economic spheres.
Written by urgent.news from DW News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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