Riyadh, Sept 2026 : Saudi Arabia has temporarily shut down its strategic East-West Pipeline as a precautionary measure after the facility was targeted in multiple attacks on Thursday, resulting in several injuries, the Saudi Ministry of Energy said.
According to an official source at the ministry, the pipeline in the Riyadh and Madinah regions came under attack on the morning of September 10, 2026.
"The pipeline was shut down as a precautionary measure. The attacks resulted in a number of injuries, and medical care was provided to those affected," the ministry said in a statement posted on X.
Emergency and specialised technical teams were deployed immediately following the attacks. The teams worked to secure the pipeline and evaluate its condition in accordance with established safety procedures and emergency response plans, while coordinating with relevant authorities.
The Energy Ministry said further information would be released as developments emerged.
The East-West Pipeline is a strategically important part of Saudi Arabia's oil infrastructure. It transports crude oil from oil fields in the kingdom's eastern region to the Red Sea port of Yanbu. The route allows Saudi Arabia to export oil without relying entirely on the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz.
Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in the pipeline to strengthen the resilience of its oil-export infrastructure and provide an alternative route for transporting crude to global markets.
Meanwhile, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said on Friday that the drone attack on the pipeline had originated from Iraqi territory, according to Xinhua news agency. The ministry said the attack caused injuries and damage.
Riyadh condemned the incident but said it had decided not to retaliate at this stage following a request from Iraqi Prime Minister. Saudi Arabia said the decision was intended to give the Iraqi government an opportunity to take necessary measures to prevent attacks against Saudi Arabia from being launched from Iraqi territory.
At the same time, Saudi Arabia reserved the right to take "all appropriate action" to safeguard its sovereignty, security, infrastructure and citizens.
Iraq welcomed Riyadh's decision to refrain from immediate retaliation and condemned any attack that threatens Saudi Arabia's security. The Iraqi armed forces said an investigation had been ordered to determine those responsible for the incident.
The attack comes amid continuing security concerns surrounding Saudi energy infrastructure and the wider region. Saudi Arabia's civilian and energy facilities have faced repeated attacks in recent years, including strikes attributed to the Houthi movement in Yemen.
The Houthis have previously said their attacks were carried out in response to Saudi airstrikes targeting areas under their control in north-western Yemen.
The latest incident has once again highlighted the vulnerability of critical energy infrastructure in the region and the potential impact of attacks on oil transportation routes and regional security.
Disclaimer: This article is sourced from a news agency and has not been independently edited by the MaverickNews30 team. The copy has been slightly edited with AI assistance for language and presentation, without altering the original facts.
