Baghdad
Just two hours after the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement accusing Iraq of being the source of attacks on an oil pipeline, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi, in the early hours of Saturday, ordered the dismissal of the Maysan Operations Commander and the formation of an investigative committee into the operations command.
The spokesperson for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Sabah Al-Numan, said in a statement that the dismissal came “following confirmation that the attacks targeting our brothers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia originated from one of the sites within the governorate.”
Closer to Recklessness Than to Prudence and the Prevention of Escalation
Dismissing the Maysan Operations Commander just two hours after the Saudi statement represents nothing more than an impulsive reaction lacking political or military judgment. Indeed, it is closer to recklessness than to prudence and responsible efforts to prevent escalation.
The Commander-in-Chief’s Weakness and Lack of Experience
Through his actions and repeated displays of weakness, Al-Zaidi has clearly demonstrated that he lacks political experience, let alone military expertise.
He has proven incapable of confronting aggression or protecting the country’s sovereignty, instead remaining a passive observer, unable to take any meaningful action.
A Record of Failure: Dozens Killed and Foreign Bases
This failure has been demonstrated repeatedly. During February and March 2026, Iraqi army and Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) facilities came under sustained bombing, resulting in the deaths of dozens of personnel, including the Anbar Operations Commander and several field commanders. The PMF Commission also announced that the death and injury toll from U.S. strikes on its facilities alone had reached dozens.
At the time, Al-Zaidi’s response went no further than issuing statements and holding emergency meetings.
In another major security scandal, reports by The New York Times revealed that Israel had established two secret bases on Iraqi territory in the western desert, which it allegedly used to support operations against Iran for more than a year. One of the bases was reportedly discovered by chance by an Iraqi shepherd, who was later found dead with his body burned.
According to the reports, attempts to investigate the matter were repeatedly obstructed by senior military officials.
How Is He Moving So Quickly Now?
The question that inevitably arises is this:
If Al-Zaidi was capable of uncovering the circumstances surrounding the attack on Saudi Arabia and identifying the location and responsible party within just two hours, why was he unable to uncover the foreign bases?
And even after they were exposed, why has he still failed to identify and hold accountable those who allegedly provide the enemy with information about the locations of Iraqi forces and facilities that have come under attack?
Either he possesses extraordinary intelligence capabilities that suddenly emerged, or he is doing nothing more than carrying out foreign orders.