Saudi Arabia shuts East-West pipeline after Houthi attacks

September 11, 2026 at 11:56 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Saudi Arabia's Energy Ministry shut the East-West oil pipeline as a precaution after attacks from Yemen's Houthis. The closure follows strikes that hit pumping stations along the strategic route, according to U.S. officials. The pipeline carries crude from eastern fields to the Red Sea port of Yanbu.

Key Facts

Saudi Arabia's Energy Ministry announced the precautionary closure of the East-West pipeline on September 11, 2026, following attacks from Yemen's Houthis.
Two U.S. officials told CNN that the pipeline system was hit with various munitions and that pumping stations near the pipeline were targeted.
The officials said drones assessed to have been launched from Iraq were used in the attack.
Satellite imagery showed extensive fire damage at one pumping station and a smaller fire with thick black smoke at another.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a phone call with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud after the attack.

Pipeline Closure

Saudi Arabia's Energy Ministry said the East-West pipeline was shut as a precaution after attacks from Yemen's Houthis. The announcement came on September 11, 2026, at 21:54 local time. The East-West pipeline transports crude oil from Saudi Arabia's eastern fields to the Red Sea port of Yanbu.

Attack Details

Two U.S. officials told CNN that the Saudi pipeline system was struck with various munitions. The officials said pumping stations adjacent to the pipeline were targeted in the attack. They assessed that drones launched from Iraq were used in the operation. The officials said it was not yet clear who was behind the attack or whether the pipeline itself was directly damaged.

Damage Assessment

Satellite imagery from the area showed extensive damage from a fire at one pumping station. A second station showed a smaller fire with thick black smoke rising. Smoke and thermal activity were detected along the route of the strategic East-West pipeline, according to satellite images and fire detection data.