Iraqi Prime Minister Faces Test as Drone Strikes Hit Saudi Oil Pipeline

Last Thursday, unmanned aircraft launched from Iraq struck Saudi Arabia's East-West oil pipeline, temporarily halting roughly 4% of the world’s oil supply and pushing Brent prices above $108 a barrel. While the Islamic Resistance in Iraq denied involvement, security officials traced the launch site to the Duwayrij River area in Maysan province and seized a launch platform. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi swiftly fired the Maysan operations commander, set up an investigative committee and closed several Iran border crossings, moves seen by many as a bid to appease Saudi and US demands.

The incident follows earlier July drone attacks linked to Houthi fighters in Iraq, which prompted US-Saudi strikes that killed over 20 members of Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Forces. Observers warn that the attacks expose the difficulty of curbing pro-Iranian militias, whose leaders may act independently of Baghdad, and could jeopardise Iraq’s warming ties with Saudi Arabia and its broader economic diversification efforts.