Saudi Arabia shuts key oil pipeline after drone attack launched from Iraq
Saudi Arabia has suspended operations on a major oil pipeline following a drone attack launched from Iraq. The incident has prompted an investigation by the Iraqi government and raised concerns about the stability of global oil supply routes amid ongoing regional conflicts.
Why it matters
The disruption of a pipeline carrying 4-5% of global oil supply poses a significant risk to energy markets and regional geopolitical stability.
Image source, Copernicus Sentinel-3/Reuters Image caption, Satellite images show sites where the East-West pipeline was hit
Saudi Arabia has closed a critical oil pipeline after it was attacked by drones launched from Iraq, as conflict in the Middle East widens.
Iraq said it had fired a military commander and launched an investigation after admitting the drone attack on its neighbour's East-West pipeline had originated in one of its provinces bordering Iran.
The 1,200km (745 mile) pipeline has helped Saudi Arabia - the world's largest crude oil exporter - bypass the Strait of Hormuz.
The incident comes amid a major advance by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, putting more pressure on global oil shipping routes as the US-Iran war stretches into its seventh month.
Riyadh on Friday said it had shut the pipeline as a precaution, as satellite images of scorched ground and smoke near the site emerged.
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