Iraq-Backed Drone Attacks Shut Down Key Saudi Oil Pipeline

Saudi Arabia's East-West oil pipeline has been temporarily closed after drone attacks from Iraq caused damage and human injuries, according to the country's foreign ministry. The attacks were launched on Thursday morning, local time.

The foreign ministry condemned the assault, saying that drones coming from Iraq hit the pipeline in the Riyadh and Medina regions. The pipeline was shut down as a precautionary measure due to the damage caused by the attacks.

An Iraqi prime minister requested Saudi Arabia not to respond to the attacks at this stage, instead choosing to support the efforts of the Iraqi government to prevent further attacks from Iraq against the Kingdom and neighboring countries.

The capture of Mayun island in Yemen's Bab el-Mandeb Strait by Houthi rebels has also been reported. The group boasts of gains along the coast without mentioning the island, the port city of Mocha, or the strait. They vowed 'escalation for escalation' in the confrontation with Saudi Arabia.