DM Monitoring
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry says it has temporarily suspended operations on the East-West Pipeline after multiple targeting incidents, according to a statement the ministry posted.
The pipeline, which carries crude from Saudi Arabia’s oil-producing east to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, provides the kingdom with a key route for bypassing the Strait of Hormuz. Recent attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure have raised concerns over the security of alternative oil export routes.
The ministry did not identify those responsible in the statement. Recent reporting has linked a surge in attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure to the wider regional conflict and Iran-backed Houthi activity.
Earlier, Saudi Arabia says drones launched from Iraq targeted its East-West oil pipeline, but Riyadh has decided against retaliating for now following a request from the Iraqi prime minister.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry said it was reserving the right to take “all necessary measures” to protect the kingdom’s sovereignty, security and critical facilities.
The statement did not say who launched the drones or specify the extent of damage to the pipeline.
The East-West pipeline carries crude from Saudi Arabia’s oil-producing east to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, providing the kingdom with an alternative export route that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz.
The reported attack comes amid a sharp escalation in regional hostilities and a wave of attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure.
Riyadh has previously accused Iran-aligned Houthi forces of targeting its territory. Saudi Arabia and Iraq have sought to maintain diplomatic ties despite the wider regional conflict, with Baghdad also attempting to prevent its territory from being used to launch attacks against neighbouring states.
