Ansarullah Forces Tighten Grip on Red Sea as Saudi Oil Pipeline is Hit

The Yemeni Ansarullah forces have made significant gains in their push against Saudi Arabia's influence, capturing strategic islands and coastal towns along the Red Sea.

They seized the Perim island on Friday at the mouth of the Red Sea, which is a crucial shipping route. This move has tightened their grip on one of the world's vital trade routes.

In a separate development, Saudi Arabia shut down its 1,200-km East-West oil pipeline as a precaution after it was hit by aerial attacks in Riyadh and Medina regions. The attack caused some injuries and damage that is being assessed, but the impact on oil exports is unclear at this time.

The pipeline, which carries 4 million to 5 million barrels per day, accounting for 4% to 5% of global supply, had been a vital lifeline for Saudi Arabia. It allowed the country to bypass disruptions in tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, where shipping has slowed significantly due to the US war on Iran.

The International Energy Agency reported that Saudi crude supply had fallen to its lowest levels in over three decades. The dual developments have put additional pressure on energy markets, pushing global oil prices back above $100 per barrel.