Why Did Iraq Bomb Saudi Arabia? The Mystery Behind The Oil Pipeline Attack

Many initially blamed the Houthis for the attack on Saudi Arabia’s crucial oil pipeline, given the group’s escalating confrontation with Riyadh. But the mystery took a major turn after Saudi Arabia said the drones that struck its oil infrastructure came from Iraq, raising a bigger question: why would Iraq become the launchpad for an attack on Saudi Arabia, and which Iran backed group could be behind it?

Saudi Arabia has now shut down its East West oil pipeline, also known as Petroline, after multiple drones struck infrastructure along its route. Riyadh said the attacks hit areas in the Riyadh and Medina regions, causing injuries and material damage. The pipeline runs roughly 1,200 km from Saudi Arabia’s eastern oil fields to Yanbu on the Red Sea and has become a critical alternative route because the Strait of Hormuz is currently severely disrupted.

The pipeline can transport around 4 to 5 million barrels of oil a day, making the attack a major threat to global energy supplies. Its importance has increased sharply because Saudi Arabia has been using it to move crude towards the Red Sea and bypass the troubled Hormuz route. The shutdown has added fresh pressure to oil markets already dealing with major supply disruptions.

So, who attacked the pipeline?

Saudi Arabia says the drones originated from Iraqi territory. Iraq has confirmed that the attacks came from its territory and has launched an investigation. Baghdad has also dismissed senior security officials as it tries to contain the fallout. But there is still no official confirmation of which group actually launched the drones.

The biggest suspicion is falling on Iran backed militias operating inside Iraq. Several powerful Shia armed groups operate there and maintain close ties with Tehran. An umbrella group representing Iran aligned militias has denied carrying out the attack, although it praised the Houthis for their recent battlefield gains. Regional officials have also said Iraqi militias and the Houthis have recently coordinated attacks against Saudi Arabia.

That makes the Iraq angle particularly important. Saudi Arabia may not have been attacked by the Iraqi state itself. Instead, Iraqi territory may have been used by an Iran aligned armed group to strike Saudi infrastructure. US President Donald Trump has also suggested that Iran was likely responsible, further widening the potential confrontation.

Riyadh has so far avoided an immediate military response. Saudi Arabia has given Baghdad room to investigate, while warning that it reserves the right to take measures to protect its territory and infrastructure. The Iraqi government has also taken steps to prevent the crisis from escalating, including action against senior officials.

But the pipeline attack is only one part of Saudi Arabia’s growing problem.

In Yemen, the Houthis have rapidly expanded along the Red Sea coast, capturing the strategic port city of Mocha and advancing towards the Bab el Mandeb Strait. They have also seized Perim, or Mayun Island at the entrance to the waterway. The advances have brought the Iran aligned group closer to controlling a crucial maritime chokepoint.

The Houthis have said shipping can continue through the waterway, but they have warned that Saudi vessels will remain targets. They say their restrictions will continue until what they describe as the blockade on Yemen is lifted.

Saudi Arabia has responded with airstrikes against Houthi positions, while Riyadh is seeking greater international support. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has asked Washington for military assistance, but the US has so far limited its support mainly to intelligence rather than committing to direct military intervention.