Pakistan has strongly condemned drone attacks on Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline in the Riyadh and Madina regions, which caused damage to the vital infrastructure and injured civilians.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Foreign Office described the attacks as “reprehensible” and said targeting civilian infrastructure was a violation of international law and Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“These attacks and targeting of civilian infrastructure are a flagrant violation of the international law as well as sovereignty and territorial integrity of the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and pose a serious threat to regional peace, security and stability,” the Foreign Office said.
Islamabad also reaffirmed its unwavering support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, security and prosperity of Saudi Arabia and expressed solidarity with the kingdom’s leadership, government and people.
Pakistan said it would continue making efforts to promote lasting peace and stability in the region.
Saudi Arabia shuts East-West pipeline
Saudi Arabia temporarily shut the 1,200-kilometre East-West pipeline following the drone attack, raising concerns over further disruption to global energy supplies.
The pipeline provides Saudi Arabia with an alternative route for transporting crude oil to the Red Sea, allowing the world’s largest crude oil exporter to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.
Tanker traffic through the strategic waterway has slowed sharply amid the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran.
The origin of the drone attacks was not immediately independently established. However, Saudi Arabia and Iraq said the attack had originated in Iraq.
Satellite imagery showed black smoke rising from an area of the pipeline south of Madina. Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry said the attack caused injuries and damage, with the full impact still being assessed.
Iraq takes action after attack
Iraq condemned the attack and dismissed a military commander on Saturday in response to the incident.
The Iraqi government also ordered the closure of the Shalamcheh border crossing with Iran as a precautionary measure, according to two security sources cited by Reuters. The crossing is an important route for food imports from Iran, including vegetables and other supplies.
Yemen’s Houthis reach strategic island at mouth of vital shipping lane
The sources said a large-scale operation was under way to identify those responsible for the pipeline attack.
Saudi Arabia has so far refrained from retaliation following a request from the Iraqi prime minister, according to the Saudi Foreign Ministry. However, Riyadh said it reserved the right to take all necessary measures to protect its interests.
Energy crisis deepens
The attack comes amid wider disruptions to energy supplies across the region.
The International Energy Agency said Saudi crude supply had fallen to its lowest level in more than three decades, partly due to attacks on vessels transiting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait by Houthi-linked groups.
Meanwhile, Iran-aligned Houthi forces in Yemen have tightened their control around the Red Sea, adding to the pressure created by disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Four Yemeni government sources told Reuters that the Houthis seized the strategic island of Perim on Friday at the mouth of the Red Sea in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The reported attacks on the Saudi oil pipeline and Perim Island have raised concerns about a wider escalation at a time when diplomatic efforts to end the regional conflict remain stalled.
The developments have contributed to renewed pressure on global energy markets, with international oil prices rising above $100 per barrel.
