Iraq seizes drone launchers near Iran to stop attacks on Saudi Arabia

Iranian kamikaze drones prepared for launch during a military drill in Iran. Photo: AFP Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iraqi security forces have discovered drone launchers near the border with Iran, two Iraqi security sources told AFP on Saturday. The development took place after a drone attack targeted a pipeline in Saudi Arabia, which Riyadh and Baghdad said was launched from Iraqi territory. “Iraqi security forces found drone launchers near the Iraqi-Iranian border in the remote al-Tayeb area of ​​the southern province of Maysan,” a security source said. A second source confirmed these details. Earlier on Saturday, Iraq decided to close its land borders with Iran and suspend flights to the country, following Saudi Arabia’s announcement that attacks on its territory originated from Iraq. A source at Basra International Airport said that all flights to and from Iran had been suspended until further notice. An immediate directive was issued by the General Command of the Iraqi Armed Forces to close the Shalamcheh border crossing in the southern Iraqi province of Basra and evacuate all staff, suspending the movement of travelers and goods until further notice. Instructions were issued for similar measures at border crossings in the provinces of Maysan, Wasit, and Diyala. Other border crossings with Iran remained open in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah, which are controlled by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in northern Iraq. The decision did not include a complete closure of the Iraqi-Iranian border but rather was limited to specific border crossings as part of the security measures taken following the attacks on Saudi Arabia. The land crossings between Iraq and Iran represent vital economic and social arteries. Their role is not limited to the movement of travelers; large quantities of goods, foodstuffs, industrial products, and building materials pass through them, in addition to the movement of pilgrims, especially during religious seasons. Saudi Arabia announced on Friday that the East-West pipeline had been targeted by several drones launched from Iraq, resulting in injuries to workers. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi ordered an investigation into the Maysan Operations Command and relieved its commander, Jalil al-Sharifi, of his post after it was confirmed that the attacks originated from there.