Iraq begins phased reopening of border crossings with Iran
On September 13, Iraqi authorities began gradually restoring operations at three border crossings with Iran that had been closed the previous day after a drone attack on a pipeline in Saudi Arabia. As Asharq Al-Awsat reports, the government security cell said the crossings would gradually reopen for passengers and trade from Sunday through Thursday.
Passengers are already being allowed through
The Shalamcheh crossing in Basra province and the Al-Shib crossing in Maysan province resumed processing passengers on September 13. Commercial traffic through them has not yet resumed. The third crossing, Al-Mandali, is located in Diyala province.
Iraqi authorities closed these crossings after a strike during the night into Friday on the East-West pipeline in Saudi Arabia. Baghdad dismissed the military commander of Maysan province near the Iranian border after authorities said the drones had been launched from the territory of that province.
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Investigation into the drone launch
Two AFP sources in Iraq’s security forces said on September 12 that drone launchers had been found near the Al-Shib border crossing. After the crossings were closed, the government explained that the decision was needed to reorganize their operations and strengthen intelligence measures to prevent violations.
No group claimed responsibility for the attack. An alliance of pro-Iranian armed groups in Iraq said it had not struck the pipeline. At the same time, Riyadh had previously accused Iraqi groups of attacks on its oil infrastructure.
