Satellite image shows critical Saudi pipeline damaged in drone attack

On Friday, Saudi authorities announced that drones launched from Iraq caused the temporary shutdown of a vital oil export route, known as the East-West pipeline, which bypasses the Strait of Hormuz. Riyadh has increasingly relied on this pipeline, linking Abqaiq near the Gulf to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, since the beginning of the Middle East conflict to circumvent the Hormuz blockade imposed by Iran.

The Saudi foreign ministry strongly condemned the "targeting of the East-West pipeline in Riyadh and Medina regions by several drones coming from Iraq, which caused human injuries and damage." An energy ministry official informed the SPA news agency that the pipeline was shut down as a precaution following the attacks, resulting in a few injuries.

Satellite images from Copernicus Sentinel Data captured on Thursday revealed black smoke emanating near Medina, along the route of the East-West pipeline that transports Saudi oil to its Red Sea port. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's office confirmed the attack originated from Iraqi territory and reported that the commander in charge of the southern province of Maysan had been relieved of his duties.

The Iraqi government denounced the "attacks targeting our brethren in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia" as originating from within the governorate. Riyadh opted not to respond to the attacks at the Iraqi prime minister's request, and instead supported the Iraqi government's efforts to prevent future attacks from Iraq targeting Saudi Arabia and neighboring nations.

Following the incident, the Gulf Cooperation Council denounced the attack as a "dangerous escalation and an unacceptable threat to the security of the Kingdom." Oil prices surged past $100 per barrel this week, while US diesel prices reached their highest level in over a year — a potential issue for President Donald Trump before the midterm elections.