World News
Saudi Arabia closes major crude pipeline following drone strikes from Iraq
Authorities halted flow along the key route after strikes caused injuries and damage in Riyadh and Madinah.
Latest update: Saudi Arabia stated drones from Iraq struck its East-West pipeline, agreeing to pause retaliation while Baghdad investigates.
The short version
- Saudi Arabia suspended operations on its East-West crude oil pipeline after drone attacks struck near Riyadh and Madinah, leaving multiple people injured and causing material damage.[Al Jazeera · CNBC]
- The Saudi Foreign Ministry blamed drones launched from Iraq for the strikes on the infrastructure, which can carry up to 7 million barrels per day.[Al Jazeera · CNBC]
- Saudi officials agreed to hold off on immediate retaliation following a request from Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, who ordered an investigation into the perpetrators.[Al Jazeera]
Key facts
- Saudi Arabia shut down its East-West crude pipeline as a precautionary measure following multiple attacks.[Al Jazeera · CNBC]
- The strikes targeted the pipeline across the Riyadh and Madinah regions, resulting in injuries and material damage.[Al Jazeera · CNBC]
- The East-West pipeline possesses a transport capacity of 7 million barrels of oil per day.[CNBC]
- Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry stated that the strikes were carried out by multiple drones originating from Iraq.[Al Jazeera]
- Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi directed authorities to open an investigation into the attack and identify those responsible.[Al Jazeera]
- Saudi Arabia agreed to withhold immediate military retaliation following a request from Baghdad.[Al Jazeera]
What remains uncertain
- The specific groups or individuals in Iraq responsible for launching the drones have not been publicly identified.[Al Jazeera]
- The full structural extent of the pipeline damage and the duration of the precautionary shutdown remain undisclosed.[Al Jazeera · CNBC]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.