• Source:JND
HighLights
  1. Saudi Arabia shut East-West oil pipeline after drone attack.
  2. Houthi rebels reportedly seized strategic Perim island in strait.
  3. Attack raises Middle East oil supply concerns, escalation risk.

Saudi Arabia-Houthi Conflict: Saudi Arabia has temporarily shut down its East-West oil pipeline after it came under a drone attack during the widening Middle East war. The closure comes amid reports that Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi rebels have seized the strategic island of Perim in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait as the conflict with Riyadh escalates.

Saudi Shuts Key Pipeline

According to Reuters, Saudi Arabia’s energy ministry said the pipeline was closed as a precaution. The pipeline was attacked on Thursday morning in Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh and Medina regions. Saudi authorities said the drone attack originated in Iraq, where Iranian-backed militias operate. Satellite images showed black smoke rising from an area of the pipeline south of Medina.

The attack caused some injuries, while the damage was still being assessed. However, Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry did not provide details about the impact on oil exports. The 1,200-kilometre pipeline runs across Saudi Arabia, allowing the country to transport oil without relying heavily on the Strait of Hormuz.

According to ship-tracking companies and analysts, the pipeline has been carrying around 4 million to 5 million barrels of oil per day in recent months, equal to about 4 per cent to 5 per cent of global oil supply. Also, the route has become especially important in recent times as maritime traffic through the strait has slowed due to the war between the US and Iran.

ALSO READ: Did US Refuse To Help Saudi Arabia In Fight Against Houthis? Report Reveals MBS Asked Trump To Launch Strike

Following a request from the Iraqi prime minister, Saudi Arabia has so far decided not to retaliate. However, the Saudi foreign ministry said Riyadh reserves the right to "take all measures necessary" to protect its interests. Meanwhile, Iraq’s government condemned the attack and ordered the closure of the Shalamcheh border crossing between Iraq and Iran as a precaution.

Fear Of Further Escalation

The pipeline attack comes as the wider conflict is putting pressure on oil supplies across the region. Houthi rebels in Yemen have increased their control in the Red Sea. Four Yemeni government sources told Reuters that the Houthis seized the strategic island of Perim on Friday. Earlier, the reports also suggested Saudi Arabia has asked Washington for military assistance against the Houthis.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly called US President Donald Trump at least twice on Thursday to request US military help, as reported by Axios. The situation has further increased the risk of escalation in the region, with tensions growing around both the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

ALSO READ: Did US Refuse To Help Saudi Arabia In Fight Against Houthis? Report Reveals MBS Asked Trump To Launch Strike

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