Saudi Arabia blames Iraqi drones, holds off on military response
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy said on Thursday that “multiple attacks” had struck the East-West pipeline, which runs through the Riyadh and Madinah regions, and that the pipeline was shut down as a precautionary measure. The ministry said on X that “the attacks resulted in a number of injuries, and medical care was provided to those affected,” without specifying how many people were hurt.
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement to CNN, condemned what it described as “an attack by several drones coming from Iraq, which resulted in injuries and some damage that is currently being addressed.” The ministry said the kingdom had chosen to hold off on a military response at the Iraqi government’s request.
“The Kingdom clarifies that, based on a request from the Iraqi Prime Minister to give the brotherly Iraqi government the opportunity to take the necessary measures to prevent attacks launched from Iraqi territory against the Kingdom and neighboring countries, the Kingdom has chosen not to respond at this stage, in support of the Iraqi government’s efforts,” the Saudi statement said.
Iraq’s armed forces responded through Sabah Al-Numan, spokesman for the commander in chief of the Iraqi armed forces. Al-Numan told state-run news agency INA that “the Iraqi government condemns the attacks targeting the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and reaffirms its rejection of any aggression that threatens the kingdom’s security and stability or undermines the deep-rooted fraternal relations between the two countries.”
“Iraq reaffirms that its territory and airspace will not be used as a launching point for attacks against any country, and that its policy is based on respecting the sovereignty of states, rejecting aggression against them, and working to ensure that its relations with its regional neighbors serve as a bridge for cooperation and stability, rather than a platform for tension and conflict,” Al-Numan added.
A U.S. official told CNN that pump stations located next to the pipeline were struck, causing a fire.
The East-West pipeline is crucial to Saudi Arabia’s efforts to export crude oil while the Iran war continues to block passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
No group has claimed responsibility for Thursday’s strike. Earlier in the week, the Houthis — a Yemen-based militant group aligned with Iran — attacked other energy facilities in Saudi Arabia, injuring more than 70 people, according to Saudi officials.
The militia took control on Thursday of the strategic Yemeni port of Mokha on the Red Sea. Saudi Arabia retaliated by carrying out nearly 40 strikes on Houthi targets.