An Iraqi military commander was dismissed after investigations confirmed that drone attacks against Saudi Arabia originated from the Maysan governorate, a province bordering Iran. The Iraqi prime minister's office announced the dismissal early Saturday, following a directive from Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, who also ordered an investigation into the Maysan Operations Command. This move comes after Saudi Arabia confirmed that the drone attacks hit its East-West oil pipeline.
The drone attacks led Saudi Arabia to shut down its critical East-West pipeline as a precautionary measure. The pipeline, which is 1,200km (745 miles) long, helps Saudi Arabia, the world's largest crude oil exporter, bypass the Strait of Hormuz. Satellite images showed scorched ground and smoke near the site of the attack. The Saudi foreign ministry reported injuries and damage, which are still being assessed.
The incident has had a significant impact on global oil markets, pushing crude oil prices above $100 a barrel for the first time since July. The pipeline typically moves 4% to 5% of the global oil supply. Saudi Arabia has chosen not to retaliate at this stage, following a request from the Iraqi prime minister, but reserves the right to take all necessary measures to protect its interests. The attacks occurred amid a major advance by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, further pressuring global oil shipping routes as the US-Iran conflict continues into its seventh month.
