Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Energy said on Monday that the East-West oil pipeline was targeted in the holy region of Medina. The pipeline, which plays a crucial role in diversifying oil supplies away from the restive Hormuz region, was targeted last month as well in an attack by the Houthi militants of Yemen.
An official source at the Ministry of Energy said the latest attack caused a limited fire, which was extinguished by emergency response teams. No injuries or fatalities were reported, and pipeline operations continued without disruption.
In a statement dated November 9, the ministry said emergency response teams and specialised technical personnel were immediately deployed to the site following the attack. They took the necessary steps to secure the location and ensure its safety in line with established emergency procedures.
Also Read | Layoffs Are Rising In Tech, But These Skills Are Helping People Unlock Better Pay
#بيان | مصدر مسؤول في وزارة الطاقة: استهداف خط أنابيب شرق–غرب في منطقة المدينة المنورة. https://t.co/xrAtZZriAJ
— وزارة الطاقة (@MoEnergy_Saudi) November 9, 2026
ALSO READ: Houthis Claim Major Missile-Drone Offensive Against Saudi Oil Facilities, Riyadh Airport
The ministry did not disclose who was behind Monday's attack or provide further details about the nature of the strike. The latest incident puts the spotlight back on the East-West pipeline, a critical piece of Saudi Arabia's energy infrastructure that allows the kingdom to transport crude oil to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.
The pipeline has become increasingly important amid security risks and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route through which a significant share of the world's oil supplies passes.
The infrastructure was also targeted last month in an attack attributed to Yemen's Houthi militants, following which repair work was undertaken. The latest strike raises fresh concerns about the security of the alternative route as Saudi Arabia seeks to maintain uninterrupted crude exports.
While Monday's incident did not affect operations, repeated attacks on the pipeline highlight the vulnerability of critical energy infrastructure in the region.
Reuters reported that the 1,200-km (745-mile) pipeline runs across the Arabian Peninsula's desert and was shut for several days in September following drone attacks, which Saudi Arabia blamed on Iraqi militias.
ALSO READ: France Blames Iran For Cyberattack On Supermarkets, Spoiling Food Worth Millions Of Euros
With the Middle East conflict disrupting oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, Saudi Arabia has rerouted around 4 million barrels of crude per day through the East-West Pipeline to Yanbu, accounting for nearly 4% of global oil supply.
The pipeline has helped shield Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, from the worst impact of the wartime disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, which has severely curtailed exports from neighbouring countries.
Essential Business Intelligence, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice, Daily Fuel, Gold and Silver Prices and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.
