Iraq condemns the attack, dismisses a military commander who led operations in Maysan province.<\/p>\n
Saudi Arabia has expressed its \u201cstrongest condemnation\u201d after its East-West oil pipeline was hit by drones launched from Iraq.<\/p>\n
In a statement on Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the pipeline was targeted in the Riyadh and Medina areas by \u201cseveral drones originating from Iraq\u201d, resulting in injuries and material damage.<\/p>\n
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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.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt 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,\u201d said the ministry in a statement<\/a> posted on X.<\/p>\n Earlier, an official from Saudi Arabia\u2019s Ministry of Energy also told the state news agency SPA that the pipeline had been temporarily shut.<\/p>\n \u201cThe pipeline was stopped as a precaution, and the attacks resulted in some injuries,\u201d the official said.<\/p>\n Iraq \u2060welcomed \u2060Saudi Arabia\u2019s decision to hold \u2060off on retaliation and said it \u201cappreciates\u201d Riyadh\u2019s response to its efforts to contain the situation.<\/p>\n Iraq \u201ccondemns\u201d the attack and affirms its \u201crejection of any aggression that threatens the Kingdom\u2019s security and stability or harms the deep-rooted fraternal relations between the two countries\u201d, said the statement issued by Sabah al-Numan, the spokesperson for the commander-in-chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces.<\/p>\n The Iraqi Prime Minister\u2019s Office said early on Saturday that a military commander who led operations in Maysan province was dismissed \u2060after investigations confirmed the latest drone attacks \u200ctargeting Saudi Arabia \u201chad been launched from a location within\u201d the southern province.<\/p>\n