Baghdad: Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan engaged in discussions regarding regional developments and the enhancement of bilateral coordination during a phone call on Friday evening.
According to Anadolu Agency, the conversation underscored the importance of the "fraternal relations" between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, with both ministers sharing perspectives on current regional issues and mutual areas of concern.
The dialogue between the ministers came in the wake of drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, reportedly launched from a location in Iraq's Maysan province. Both officials emphasized the significance of maintaining open channels of communication, coordination, and consultations between Baghdad and Riyadh to bolster regional security and stability, as well as to enhance bilateral cooperation.
Following these events, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's media office announced via the US social media company X that an investigative council had been formed to review the actions of the Maysan Operations Command, resulting in the dismissal of its commander. This decision was prompted by evidence that the attacks on Saudi Arabia were initiated from within the province.
Saudi Arabia responded to the attacks by shutting down its East-West oil pipeline as a precautionary measure after it sustained several strikes in the Riyadh and Medina regions, causing injuries. The Saudi Press Agency reported, citing an Energy Ministry official, that the attacks occurred on Thursday morning using multiple drones launched from Iraq, leading to injuries and material damage.
While Saudi authorities have not disclosed the full extent of the damage or the duration of the pipeline's shutdown, the East-West pipeline, also referred to as Petroline, is a crucial infrastructure. Spanning approximately 1,200 kilometers (745 miles) from Abqaiq to Yanbu on the Red Sea coast, it can transport around 7 million barrels of crude oil daily, offering Saudi Arabia a strategic alternative to the Strait of Hormuz.