Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy announced on Friday that it has shut down the East-West oil pipeline after the infrastructure was targeted by multiple attacks on Thursday. The pipeline is a vital conduit for Saudi oil, providing an alternative export route that avoids the Strait of Hormuz. According to the Ministry, the closure is a precautionary measure intended to allow emergency teams to secure the site and assess the extent of the damage. The Ministry also confirmed that the attacks resulted in several injuries.

Reports regarding the origin and context of the attacks differ slightly between sources. SCMP reports that the shutdown followed specific attacks on the pipeline infrastructure itself, noting that the Houthi rebels in Yemen have claimed responsibility for targeting the facility. Conversely, NDTV frames the shutdown within the broader context of regional instability, specifically highlighting Houthi territorial gains near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. While both outlets agree that the pipeline is a strategic asset, they emphasize different geopolitical pressures; NDTV focuses on the threat to shipping lanes near Yemen, while SCMP focuses on the direct physical damage to the pipeline and the resulting injuries to personnel.