Story perspectives

Iraq Orders Shalamcheh Border Closure After Drone Attacks

By Drooid · Sep 12, 2026, 2:53 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Iraq ordered closure of the Shalamcheh border crossing with Iran after drone attacks on Saudi Arabia.
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi dismissed the Maysan Operations Commander after confirming the drones launched from Iraq.
Zaidi formed a special investigative council to probe the drones’ origins.
Drone strikes hit Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline, halting flow and injuring people.

History

Historical Context

On 14 September 2019 Houthi rebels struck Saudi Aramco’s Abqaiq and Khurais plants, cutting output by about 5.7 million barrels per day—roughly 5 % of world supply—and prompting accusations that Iran supplied the drones. The attack exposed the Gulf’s oil vulnerability, leading today’s Iraqi authorities to close the Shalamcheh crossing and launch a probe into the drones’ origins.

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Story summary

Iraq ordered closure of the Shalamcheh border crossing with Iran after drone attacks on Saudi Arabia.
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi dismissed the Maysan Operations Commander after confirming the drones launched from Iraq.
Zaidi formed a special investigative council to probe the drones’ origins.
Drone strikes hit Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline, halting flow and injuring people.

1 / 2