Iraq races to contain fallout after local Iran-backed militias accused of attacking Saudi pipeline

Iraq’s government was scrambling Saturday to manage the fallout following accusations by local Iran-backed militias of attacking and closing a crucial Saudi pipeline. The attacks, originating from within Iraq’s territory, prompted Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to order an investigation and dismiss the military commander of the affected operations command.

The key pipeline in question runs east-west across Iraq and was shut down on Friday by Saudi Arabia, citing a precautionary measure after a drone attack. Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry blamed the attacks on drones originating from Iraq but vowed not to retaliate, allowing Iraq’s government to take necessary measures.

The Iraqi government has set a September 30 deadline for nonstate groups to disarm, but several powerful militias have refused to comply. The Houthis, an Iran-backed rebel group, seized a strategic island in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on Friday, a critical shipping lane responsible for around 12% of global trade. Their control of the strait could potentially spark a surge in oil prices, already high due to the Iran-U.S. war.

In response to the attacks, Iraq has also closed two crucial border crossings with Iran, Shalamcheh and Chazabeh, amid ongoing investigations into violations and infractions. Iranian state media announced the closures, which will halt both passenger and commercial traffic until further notice.