Gulf Cooperation Council chief condemns attack on Saudi oil pipeline
Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, condemned the drone attack on Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline in the Riyadh and Medina regions. He described the attack as a dangerous escalation, a threat to Saudi Arabia’s security and territorial integrity, and a violation of the principles of international law. According to Anadolu Agency, Riyadh said the drones were launched from Iraqi territory.
Gulf Cooperation Council statement
Albudaiwi said the attack posed an unacceptable threat to the kingdom’s vital facilities. He called on Iraq to step up its efforts and take the necessary decisive measures to prevent its territory from being used to launch attacks against Saudi Arabia.
The Secretary General also reaffirmed the Gulf Cooperation Council’s full solidarity with Saudi Arabia. He expressed support for the measures the kingdom is taking to protect its security, stability, territorial integrity, infrastructure facilities, citizens and residents.
Pipeline shutdown and investigation
On Friday, Saudi Arabia reported that it had shut down the East-West oil pipeline as a precautionary measure after several drones struck it in the Riyadh and Medina regions on Thursday morning. The country’s Ministry of Energy said several people were injured and received medical care, while the pipeline sustained damage. Emergency and technical teams were dispatched to the facility to secure it and assess its condition.
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Saudi authorities said they would not launch a retaliatory strike for now following a request from Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to give Baghdad an opportunity to prevent new attacks from Iraqi territory. At the same time, Riyadh reserved the right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty, security and infrastructure.
Iraq condemned the attacks and stated that its territory and airspace would not be a staging ground for attacks against other states. Ali al-Zaidi, who is also the commander-in-chief of the country’s armed forces, ordered an investigation into the incidents and legal action against anyone found to be involved.
Previous incidents
Tensions between Riyadh and Baghdad had already risen in July, when Saudi Arabia said it had intercepted several drones launched from Iraq toward oil facilities in the Eastern Province and the Riyadh region. The Saudi side blamed Iran-backed groups, while Iraq subsequently established a joint security committee to prevent unauthorized attacks on neighboring countries.
