Saudi Arabia Shuts Key Oil Pipeline Used To Bypass Strait Of Hormuz After Drone Attack

Saudi Arabia has temporarily shut its East-West oil pipeline after drones attacked the facility, the kingdom’s Energy Ministry said.

The pipeline was attacked in the Riyadh and Madinah regions on Thursday morning, Sept. 10. Several people were injured, and emergency teams were sent to secure the pipeline and check the damage.

Saudi Arabia later said the drones had been launched from Iraq. Iraq said the attack came from Maysan governorate, a province that borders Iran. The Iraqi government removed the operations commander in the province and opened an investigation.

The East-West pipeline is about 1,200 km (745 miles) long. It carries crude oil from Saudi Arabia’s eastern oil fields to export terminals on the Red Sea.

The pipeline can carry 7 million barrels of oil a day. It gives Saudi Arabia another way to export oil without using the Strait of Hormuz.

Reuters, citing ship tracking companies and analysts, has reported that the pipeline has been carrying about 4% to 5% of global oil supply.

Saudi Arabia said the pipeline was shut as a precaution while teams checked the facility. The Foreign Ministry said the attack caused injuries and damage, but the full extent of the damage was still being assessed.

The country has decided not to retaliate for now after a request from Iraq’s prime minister. Riyadh said it would support the Iraqi government’s efforts to stop attacks from its territory against neighbouring countries.

It also said it had the right to take any necessary measures to protect its sovereignty, security and critical infrastructure.

The kingdom has carried out strikes with the United States against Iran-backed militias in Iraq after accusing them of launching drones from Iraqi territory.

Saudi Arabia is now dealing with attacks by Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen.

The Houthis launched attacks on Saudi Arabia earlier this week against energy facilities and other targets. More than 70 people were injured, according to the source material.

The group declared a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia in July. They have also sought to disrupt Saudi oil exports through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the southern Red Sea with global markets.

On Friday, Saudi-backed government forces in Yemen said they had attacked Houthi fighters in the coastal city of Mokha. The attack came a day after the Houthis took control of the entire Red Sea coast.

The Gulf Co-operation Council, which includes Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait, condemned the attack.

References: BBC, WIONews