Saudi Arabia says East-West pipeline hit by drones launched from Iraq

Saudi Arabia has expressed its “strongest condemnation” after its East-West oil pipeline was hit by drones launched from Iraq.

In a statement on Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the pipeline was targeted in the Riyadh and Medina areas by “several drones originating from Iraq”, resulting in injuries and material damage.

It added, however, that it would not retaliate for now, following a request from Baghdad, while reserving the right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty, security and critical facilities.

“At the request of the Iraqi Prime Minister to allow the brotherly Iraqi government the opportunity to take the necessary measures to prevent attacks launched from Iraqi territory against the Kingdom and neighbouring countries, the Kingdom has chosen not to respond at this stage and to support the efforts of the Iraqi government,” said the ministry in a statement posted on X.

Earlier, an official from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy also told the state news agency SPA that the pipeline had been temporarily shut.

“The pipeline was stopped as a precaution, and the attacks resulted in some injuries,” the official said.

Iraq ⁠welcomed ⁠Saudi Arabia’s decision to hold ⁠off on retaliation and said it “appreciates” Riyadh’s response to its efforts to contain the situation.

Iraq “condemns” the attack and affirms its “rejection of any aggression that threatens the Kingdom’s security and stability or harms the deep-rooted fraternal relations between the two countries”, said the statement issued by Sabah al-Numan, the spokesperson for the commander-in-chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces.