Iraq condemns and orders investigation into drone attack on Saudi pipeline

Iraq's government condemned the drone strikes on Saudi Arabia's East-West oil pipeline and ordered an investigation into the launch site inside Iraqi territory. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi said he would form a board to investigate, and Lt. Gen. Saad Maan stated Iraq does not allow attacks against countries in the region, as officials worked to identify who launched the drones, believed to be Iran-backed militias.

Why this matters. Iraq's public acknowledgment that the attack originated from its territory, and its move to dismiss a military commander in Maysan province, raises the diplomatic stakes over whether Baghdad can rein in Iran-backed militias before Saudi Arabia decides whether to retaliate.