Saudi Oil Lifeline Shut: Who Fired the Drones That Hit 5% of Global Supply?
A 1,200 km pipeline carrying 7 million barrels a day was hit by drones launched from Iraq.
Saudi Arabia has temporarily shut down its critical East-West oil pipeline after drone attacks targeted facilities in the Riyadh and Madinah regions, disrupting a key export route that carries 4% to 5% of global oil supply. The kingdom’s Energy Ministry confirmed the precautionary closure on Thursday, as emergency teams assessed damage and injuries following the strikes.
The East-West pipeline, stretching 1,200 km from Saudi Arabia’s eastern oil fields to Red Sea export terminals, serves as a vital alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint often targeted by Iran-backed militias.
How the Attack Unfolded and Who Is Responsible: east-west pipeline
Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry stated the drones were launched from Iraq, specifically from Maysan governorate, a province bordering Iran. Iraq’s government swiftly removed the operations commander in Maysan and opened an investigation, acknowledging the attacks originated from its territory.
While the full extent remains under assessment, the kingdom reported injuries and structural harm to the pipeline.
“The targeting of the East-West pipeline in the Riyadh and Medina regions by several drones coming from Iraq, which caused human injuries and damage.”
Saudi Foreign Ministry·Government Spokesperson
Why This Pipeline Matters for Global Oil Markets
The East-West pipeline links Abqaiq, near the Gulf, to the port of Yanbu on the Red Sea, providing a bypass for oil exports that avoids the Strait of Hormuz. The pipeline’s capacity, 7 million barrels per day, represents a significant portion of the kingdom’s total output, making it a prime target for groups seeking to disrupt energy flows.
The Houthis, an Iran-backed group in Yemen, have intensified attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure in recent months. Earlier this week, they launched strikes on Saudi facilities, injuring more than 70 people. In July, the group declared a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia and has since sought to block oil exports through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical waterway connecting the Red Sea to global markets. On Friday, Saudi-backed forces in Yemen retaliated by attacking Houthi fighters in the coastal city of Mokha, a day after the Houthis took control of the entire Red Sea coast.
The Gulf Co-operation Council, which includes Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, the UAE, and Kuwait, condemned the pipeline attack, calling it a threat to regional stability. Meanwhile, Baghdad faces mounting pressure to prevent militant groups from using Iraqi soil to launch attacks on Gulf countries. Saudi Arabia has refrained from retaliating after a request from Iraq’s prime minister, Iraq’s prime minister, but has reserved the right to take “any necessary measures” to protect its sovereignty and critical infrastructure.
For global markets, the pipeline’s closure adds another layer of uncertainty.
As the situation develops, all eyes remain on Iraq’s efforts to curb cross-border attacks and on Saudi Arabia’s next steps. With the Houthis controlling key Red Sea territories, including the strategic island of Perim in the Bab al-Mandab strait, the risk of further disruptions to oil exports remains high. For now, the kingdom’s decision to halt the pipeline underscores the fragile balance of energy security in a region plagued by conflict.
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