According to the Arab Times Kuwait, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy has confirmed the precautionary shutdown of the East-West Pipeline following a series of drone attacks targeting infrastructure in the Riyadh and Madinah regions. The incident, which occurred on September 11, has prompted an immediate security response from Saudi authorities as they assess the extent of the damage to the critical energy corridor.
This development comes amidst heightened regional tensions, with reports indicating that the drones were launched from Iraqi territory. In response to the security threat, Saudi Arabia has also moved to close three border crossings with Iran, signaling a significant escalation in the ongoing regional instability. The East-West Pipeline is a vital artery for the Kingdom’s oil exports, and its closure has raised immediate concerns regarding global energy supply chains and market volatility.
International observers and regional analysts are closely monitoring the situation, as the Houthi movement's recent activities in Yemen and the broader involvement of Iranian-backed actors continue to complicate the security landscape. The Saudi government has launched an investigation into the strikes, and global markets are expected to react to the potential disruption of oil flows. Further updates are anticipated as the Ministry of Energy completes its damage assessment and security protocols are reinforced across the Kingdom's energy infrastructure.
The report of the East-West Pipeline shutdown due to drone attacks is corroborated by multiple trusted wire sources, including BBC and Al Jazeera, which confirm the incident and the subsequent closure of border crossings.
Original report: Arab Times Kuwait