Saudi Arabia has temporarily shut down its critical East-West oil pipeline following drone attacks on Thursday that originated from Iraqi territory. The strikes, which targeted pump stations along the 1,200km (746-mile) pipeline in the Riyadh and Medina regions, have led to injuries and prompted a halt in operations, according to the Saudi Ministry of Energy. The pipeline is a crucial export route for the kingdom, previously used to bypass restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz and capable of carrying seven million barrels of crude daily.
Iraq has condemned the attacks and announced an investigation into those responsible. This is not the first time the East-West pipeline has been targeted; it sustained attacks in April, though operations were subsequently restored. The recent assaults coincide with the seizure of the Bab al-Mandab Strait by Iran-backed Houthi rebels, further impacting global trade routes.
The Houthis claimed responsibility for a large-scale military operation that led to their takeover of the Yemeni side of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a strategic passage connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and onward to the Suez Canal. A Yemeni government official confirmed the Houthi consolidation of control over the strait and nearby islands, including Mayyun Island. The Houthi military spokesman stated the operation was in response to Saudi aggression and asserted that navigation through the strait remains safe for all except Saudi Arabia.
The Houthis' control of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a vital corridor for shipping between Europe and Asia, raises concerns about potential disruptions to oil and commercial traffic. This development follows months of a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz by Iran, with an advisor to Iran's supreme leader congratulating the Houthis on their success. Experts suggest that Iran, through its allies, now controls two of the Middle East's most strategic chokepoints.
The Houthi offensive, which began September 3, has resulted in over 500 deaths and displaced approximately 46,000 people, according to reports from both sides and the UN migration agency. This escalation is part of renewed hostilities in Yemen's civil war, which began in 2014. While Saudi Arabia has conducted airstrikes and reinforced troops, it has so far been unable to halt the Houthi advance.
Oil prices saw a significant surge following news of the pipeline attack. Benchmark Brent crude settled at $104.56 a barrel on Friday, marking an increase of over 8 percent for the week. Average U.S. diesel prices also surpassed $6 per gallon for the first time. The UN Security Council has convened to discuss the escalating conflict, with UN envoy Hans Grundberg calling for international efforts to contain the situation, which risks reviving a devastating war and humanitarian crisis in Yemen.