Saudi Arabia temporarily closes a key oil pipeline following drone attacks launched from Iraq
The kingdom said it would not retaliate, giving the Iraqi government "the opportunity to take the necessary measures." For its part, the Iraqi government condemned the attack and ordered an investigation into the incident.
Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince / Lou Benoist
Saudi Arabia temporarily shut down the East-West Pipeline, a key pipeline for its oil exports, after several drones attacked the pipeline and other facilities.
The news was confirmed by the Saudi Ministry of Energy in a statement noting that the attacks occurred on Thursday in the regions of Riyadh and Medina, resulting in injuries. Authorities are still assessing the full extent of the damage.
Meanwhile, the Saudi government described the pipeline shutdown as precautionary. At this time, it has not indicated when operations will resume.
According to a statement, the drones used in the incident were launched from Iraqi territory. The kingdom said it would not retaliate, giving the Iraqi government "the opportunity to take the necessary measures." For its part, the Iraqi government condemned the attack and ordered an investigation into the incident.
The closure occurred on the same day that the Houthis, backed by Iran, advanced on the island of Mayun—also known as Perim—in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.
The importance of the East-West pipeline
Its strategic importance lies in allowing Saudi Arabia to transport oil to the Red Sea without passing through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s main oil shipping routes.
According to Reuters, The pipeline had been transporting between 4 million and 5 million barrels of oil per day in recent months.
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