Saudis shut down oil pipeline as Houthis tighten grip on Red Sea shipping

Saudi Arabia has shut down its East-West pipeline after aerial drone attack, likely originating from Iraq. The 1,200 km pipeline serves as the main route out for global supplies of Middle East oil, moving 4 million to 5 million barrels per day or 4% to 5% of global supply. The move comes as Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, asked for U.S. military help to combat the Houthi advance along the Red Sea.

Houthis have also seized the strategic island of Perim in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the "Gate of Tears" at the mouth of the Red Sea.