Saudi Oil Pipeline Out of Commission Amid Houthi Attacks

A crucial Saudi oil pipeline struck in an attack will be mostly out of service for several weeks as damage is repaired. The East-West Pipeline, which runs 1,200 kilometers across the country, was shut down after an attack on Thursday that Saudi Arabia blamed on drones from Iranian-backed militias in Iraq.

Repairing the damage could take three to five weeks, according to regional officials briefed on the matter. The pipeline may work partially during repairs, but it's unclear how much oil might get through. The line carries about 4 million barrels of oil per day, or around 4% of global supplies.

The Saudi government is now facing increased pressure due to its reliance on the East-West Pipeline for crude exports. Oil prices have gained over 2% amid growing worries about global petroleum supplies. The Iran war has forced Saudi Arabia to shift exports away from the Persian Gulf, and the kingdom's oil infrastructure has come under attack in recent weeks.

In related news, Yemen's Houthi rebels continue to expand their threat to Saudi shipping routes out of the Red Sea by capturing strategic islands along the coast. The Houthis have also waged an offensive farther inland, particularly in the province of Taiz, where thousands of civilians are fleeing the fighting.