Iraq approves Iran's request for joint probe into border drone launch sites

Baghdad: Ali al-Zaidi, Iraqi Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, approved Iran's request to conduct a joint investigation to find drone launch platforms near the Iraq-Iran border, Sabah al-Numan, Spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi forces, said on Saturday.

The decision came as Iraqi authorities intensified security measures following confirmation that recent drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia were launched from a site within Iraq's southern province of Maysan.

Earlier on Saturday, al-Zaidi dismissed the Maysan Operations Commander and Maysan Police Commander, and ordered the formation of a special investigative council to probe the issue, according to separate statements by al-Numan.

Meanwhile, Iraqi security forces have also initiated administrative and security reorganisation operations at several border crossings that necessitate their closure to investigate security breaches, Xinhua news agency reported.

Necessary legal measures have been taken, and intelligence, investigative and audit efforts have been intensified to determine the circumstances surrounding the breaches and violations that occurred at these crossings and to devise appropriate solutions and remedies, the Security Media Cell affiliated with the Iraqi Joint Operations Command, said in a statement.

It added that the Zurbatiyah and al-Munthiriya border crossings with Iran, located in Iraq's Wasit and Diyala provinces respectively, remain open to passenger traffic.

An Iraqi security source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity that security authorities have begun inspection and screening procedures, tightened security measures to prevent violations at the closed border crossings, and expect the measures to conclude quickly.

The closures came after Iraq's Prime Minister dismissed the Maysan Operations Commander on Saturday after authorities confirmed attacks targeting Saudi Arabia had been launched from a site in Maysan province in southern Iraq.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry said Friday that its East-West Pipeline was attacked by several drones launched from Iraq, causing injuries and damage.

The Ministry noted that at the request of the Iraqi Prime Minister, Saudi Arabia had refrained from responding at this stage.

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