Daijiworld Media Network – Baghdad
Baghdad, Sep 14: Iraq announced on Sunday a phased reopening of three major border crossings with neighboring Iran, following extensive administrative and technical reviews aimed at enhancing security and streamlining border operations.
According to a statement issued by the Security Media Cell (SMC), affiliated with the Iraqi Joint Operations Command, the decision was executed under the directives of Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to upgrade organizational and technical infrastructure at the Shalamcheh, Mandali, and al-Sheeb border crossings, reported Xinhua News Agency.
As per the official schedule, passenger travel through the al-Sheeb and Shalamcheh border points resumed at 6 am on Sunday. Commercial trade activities at Shalamcheh are scheduled to restart on Monday, followed by Mandali on Tuesday and al-Sheeb on Thursday, the statement added.
The SMC emphasized that trade and passenger movement with Iran via the Zurbatiyah and al-Munthiriya crossings remained unaffected throughout the period and continue to operate around the clock.
On Saturday, Iraqi security authorities had initiated administrative and security reorganization operations across several border points, necessitating temporary closures to investigate security breaches.
The closures followed Prime Minister Al-Zaidi's dismissal of the Maysan Operations Commander on Saturday, after authorities confirmed that attacks targeting Saudi Arabia had been launched from a location in southern Iraq's Maysan province.
Sabah al-Numan, Spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi forces, stated on Saturday that Al-Zaidi also approved Iran's request to conduct a joint investigation to locate drone launch platforms near the Iraq–Iran border.
The developments follow a statement from the Saudi Foreign Ministry on Friday, which reported that its key East-West Pipeline had been attacked by several drones launched from Iraq, resulting in injuries and damage. The ministry noted that, at the request of the Iraqi prime minister, the kingdom had refrained from retaliatory action at this stage.
Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in the East-West Pipeline, which transports crude oil from its eastern fields to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, effectively bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.