Saudi Arabia has shut down its East-West pipeline after the vital oil conduit suffered an aerial attack from the Houthis, as the war in West Asia continues to rage.
The pipeline was closed following a drone
attack, which both Riyadh and Baghdad say originated in Iraq, where the Iran-allied Houthis operate, according to a Reuters report.
The fresh escalation in West Asia raises fears that another major shipping route could be disrupted, particularly at a time when global economies are still navigating the energy price shock caused by the US-Israeli war on Iran.
According to the Saudi Energy Ministry, the pipeline was closed as a precautionary measure. The pipeline was being used by Riyadh to ease the pressure on energy trade rising out of tensions in the vital Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reported.
The pipeline was targeted on Thursday morning in Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh and Medina regions, the ministry said.
According to the report, citing the ship tracking companies and analysts, the line was moving 4 million to 5 million barrels per day in recent months.
Houthis Seized Island Of Perim
The Houthis on Friday seized the island of Perim at the mouth of the Red Sea, in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, four Yemini Government sources told Reuters.
The Houthis also targeted Saudi cities and the country’s energy infrastructure, signalling a dangerous escalation as talks to resolve the conflict between the US and Iran remain at a standstill.
Saudi Arabia approached the United States for military help, which is already assisting the Kingdom with intelligence and technical support. Washington, however, declined the request, with a US official saying it was not ready at the time to take a direct part in the infighting, Reuters reported earlier.
Experts opine that disruptions in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait could, once again, provide Iran added leverage in negotiations with the US. While peace talks remain stalled for now, Tehran has used the Strait of Hormuz as a key negotiation tool against Washington.
