Key Takeaways
- Saudi Arabia says drones launched from Iraq hit the East-West pipeline.
- The pipeline was closed as a precaution, causing some injuries.
- Saudi Arabia reserves the right to take necessary measures to protect its security.
Saudi Arabia has condemned the launch of drones from Iraq that hit the East-West pipeline, leading to its closure. The incident occurred on Thursday morning and resulted in several people being injured.
In a statement, the Saudi foreign ministry stated, '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.'
An energy ministry official told SPA news agency that the pipeline was stopped as a precaution and that the attacks had caused some injuries.
Saudi Arabia has increased its reliance on this pipeline since the start of the war in the Middle East, as it aims to bypass the closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran.
In a diplomatic move, Saudi Arabia stated that it has chosen not to respond at this stage and to support the efforts of the Iraqi government to prevent attacks launched from Iraq against the Kingdom and neighboring countries.
The foreign ministry emphasized that Saudi Arabia 'reserves the right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty, its security, its facilities,' and its inhabitants.
The pipeline, which links Abqaiq, near the Gulf, to the port of Yanbu on the Red Sea, is crucial for the transportation of oil and gas from Saudi Arabia.
Since the attacks, the pipeline has been closed, leading to concerns about the stability of oil supply in the region and potential economic impacts.
