Sweeping strikes under the rug: Will Iraq face consequences for Saudi strikes? - analysis

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al Zaidi travels to Europe as questions mount over Iranian-backed militias in Iraq launching drone attacks on Saudi Arabia, including a strike on the East-West pipeline. Baghdad removed a military commander and launched an investigation, but the article questions whether meaningful consequences will follow.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al Zaidi is traveling to Europe for meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, even as Iranian-backed militias in Iraq continue to launch drone attacks on neighboring countries. The latest attack, on September 11, targeted the Saudi Arabia East-West pipeline, a 1,200 km infrastructure that helps the world's largest crude oil exporter bypass the Strait of Hormuz. Baghdad admitted the attack originated from Iraq's Maysan province, removed the head of the province's Operations Command, and closed border crossings with Iran as a precaution. A joint investigation with Iran is planned. The article notes that Iraqi Parliament Speaker Haibat al-Halbousi condemned the attacks, but the prime minister's focus appears to be on his European tour rather than reining in the militias. The piece questions whether anyone will be held accountable, noting that key militias like Kataib Hezbollah are part of the Iranian-backed Islamic Resistance in Iraq and face a government deadline of September 30 to restrict arms to the state.