Saudi shuts East-West Pipeline after drone attacks as Houthi advance pressures Red Sea route
Extensive fire damage near Saudi Arabia’s East-West Pipeline after reported drone attacks. Image courtesy: Screen grab via X.com/@MarioNawfal
New Delhi: Saudi Arabia has temporarily shut its strategic East-West Pipeline after drone attacks damaged the oil conduit and caused injuries, adding pressure on the Kingdom’s export network as Houthi forces advance along Yemen’s Red Sea coast and towards the Bab el-Mandeb shipping route.
The 1,200km East-West Pipeline carries crude from Saudi Arabia’s eastern oil-producing region to the Red Sea and allows exports to bypass the Strait of Hormuz. Reuters reported that crude moving through the pipeline had become the main alternative source of West Asian oil while access to the Gulf remained severely disrupted. The line had recently been transporting 4 million to 5 million barrels per day, equivalent to about 4 to 5 per cent of global oil supply.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy said the pipeline was subjected to multiple attacks in the Riyadh and Madinah regions on Thursday morning and was shut as a precaution. The strikes caused injuries, while emergency and technical teams were deployed to secure the pipeline and assess its safety.
Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry also said several drones used in the attacks were launched from Iraq. Reuters reported that Baghdad had also confirmed the attack originated from Iraqi territory and later dismissed the military commander responsible for operations in Maysan province, which borders Iran. No group has claimed responsibility.
Riyadh has held back from an immediate response after the Iraqi prime minister asked for time to act against attacks originating from Iraqi territory. Saudi Arabia, however, said it reserved the right to take necessary measures to protect its sovereignty, security and critical infrastructure.
Houthi advance raises pressure on Red Sea shipping
The pipeline shutdown comes as Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis expand their presence along the Red Sea coast. Four Yemeni government sources told Reuters that Houthi forces had seized Perim Island in the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a strategic shipping chokepoint at the southern entrance to the Red Sea.
The Houthi advance has also prompted Saudi Arabia to seek outside support. Reuters, citing two sources, reported that the Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, had asked the US president, Donald Trump, for military assistance against the Houthis. Washington declined direct intervention for now but offered intelligence support, while Trump later confirmed he had spoken with the Saudi crown prince.
The International Energy Agency said Saudi crude supply fell to 6 million barrels per day in August, its lowest level in more than three decades, partly because of attacks by Houthi-linked groups on ships transiting Bab el-Mandeb and other Saudi energy infrastructure.
Pakistan, meanwhile, has condemned the drone attacks on Saudi Arabia’s East-West Pipeline in the Riyadh and Madinah regions, reaffirming its support for the Kingdom’s sovereignty and security after the strikes damaged the critical oil artery and injured civilians.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office described the attacks as a “flagrant violation” of international law and Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Islamabad said the targeting of civilian infrastructure posed a serious threat to regional peace, security and stability, and reiterated its solidarity with the Saudi leadership, government and people.
The East-West Pipeline remained shut as Saudi technical teams assessed the damage and safety of the system.
