Saudi Arabia Shuts East-West Oil Pipeline After Attack As Houthi Advance Tightens Red Sea Squeeze
Riyadh, September 12, 2026: Saudi Arabia has shut its East-West oil pipeline after it came under aerial attack, adding fresh pressure to global energy supplies as Houthi forces expand their hold along Yemen’s Red Sea coast. The 1,200-km pipeline, which crosses the Arabian Peninsula, had become increasingly important for Saudi Arabia because it allowed crude exports to bypass the Strait of Hormuz,…
Saudi Arabia has shut down its East-West oil pipeline in response to an aerial attack, intensifying pressure on global energy supplies as Houthi forces advance along Yemen's Red Sea coast. The 1,200-kilometer pipeline, which crosses the Arabian Peninsula, is crucial for Saudi crude exports as it bypasses the Strait of Hormuz, a shipping route that has seen reduced traffic due to the ongoing US-Iran conflict.
The pipeline's shutdown now places strain on two vital energy routes around the Arabian Peninsula, raising concerns of further disruption to oil markets. The Saudi Energy Ministry confirmed the attack, which caused injuries and damage, but the specific origin of the attack remains unclear. Meanwhile, Houthi fighters have seized strategic Perim Island in the Bab el-Mandeb strait, an area of immense importance for global shipping.
The attack and the island seizure signal a significant escalation in the conflict, which has already driven oil prices above $100 per barrel. Yemeni forces aim to reclaim territories lost to the Houthis, further heightening tensions. Iraq recently dismissed a military commander over the pipeline strike, though the attack was claimed to have originated from Iraqi territory.
Saudi Arabia has refrained from retaliation, citing Iraq's request, but maintains the option to take necessary measures. Meanwhile, the US has offered intelligence assistance to Saudi Arabia in the ongoing conflict.
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