Satellite images show damage to Saudi east-west oil pipeline after Yemeni attacks

Satellite images have revealed extensive damage to Saudi Arabia's east-west oil pipeline following attacks attributed to Yemen, according to a report by Mehr News. The imagery, released on September 14, shows significant structural harm along the pipeline route, which is a key artery for Saudi oil exports.

The east-west pipeline, also known as the Petroline, runs from the eastern oil fields of Saudi Arabia to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, providing an alternative route for crude exports that avoids the Strait of Hormuz. The reported damage could affect the kingdom's ability to transport oil, though the full extent of the impact on production and exports has not been detailed.

The attacks are part of the ongoing conflict between Yemen and Saudi Arabia. Yemeni forces have previously targeted Saudi oil infrastructure, including facilities operated by the state-owned Saudi Aramco. In 2019, a major attack on Aramco's Abqaiq and Khurais facilities temporarily halved Saudi oil output, causing global market disruptions.

No official statement from Saudi authorities regarding the latest damage has been included in the Mehr News report. The satellite images serve as visual evidence of the strikes, but further verification from independent sources is not provided.

The report by Mehr News added that the damage is extensive, highlighting the vulnerability of Saudi oil infrastructure to attacks from Yemen. The incident underscores the continuing tensions in the region and the potential risks to global energy supplies.

According to Mehr News, the satellite images show the aftermath of the attacks, though specific details about the timing or the exact parties involved were not disclosed beyond the attribution to Yemen.