Saudi Arabia's critical East-West oil pipeline was attacked Monday in the Medina region, causing a limited fire that emergency teams quickly extinguished, the Saudi Ministry of Energy announced.
The pipeline, which stretches approximately 1,200 kilometers across the Arabian Peninsula, was targeted in an incident that resulted in no injuries, fatalities, or disruption to operations, according to an official ministry source cited by the Saudi Press Agency.
"Emergency teams and specialized technical crews immediately commenced their operations upon the occurrence of the targeting, taking all necessary procedures to secure the site and verify its safety in accordance with approved safety regulations and contingency plans," the ministry official said.
The East-West pipeline serves as a strategic alternative export route for Saudi crude oil, allowing the world's largest oil exporter to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, which has faced disruptions due to Middle East regional tensions. Saudi Arabia currently diverts approximately four million barrels of crude oil per day through the pipeline to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, representing roughly four percent of global oil supply.
The pipeline was previously attacked in September, when drone strikes temporarily shut it down for several days. Saudi authorities attributed those earlier attacks to Iraqi militias. The ministry did not identify the party responsible for Monday's attack, though Yemen-based Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, have conducted repeated strikes against Saudi energy infrastructure using drones and ballistic missiles.
The pipeline's resilience to Monday's attack underscores its importance to global energy markets. The route has become increasingly vital since the conflict in the Middle East disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, prompting Saudi Arabia to redirect significant export volumes through the Red Sea corridor.
Emergency response protocols were activated immediately following the attack. Specialized technical teams secured the facility and verified its structural integrity according to established safety procedures and emergency response plans. The swift containment prevented the fire from spreading to other sections of the pipeline.