Saudi Arabia Halts East-West Pipeline After Drone Attack; Houthis Seize Red Sea Island
Saudi Arabia has shut down its East-West oil pipeline following a drone attack, while Houthi rebels have captured the strategic Mayun island at the southern entrance to the Red Sea's Bab el-Mandeb Strait, creating a new front in regional tensions.
Philadelphia, PA, September 11, 2026 — Saudi Arabia has temporarily halted operations on its critical East-West oil pipeline due to a drone attack. The incident has led to the shutdown of the pipeline, which is a major artery for the kingdom’s oil exports. The exact date of the drone attack and the subsequent pipeline shutdown were not immediately specified. Details regarding the perpetrator of the drone attack were also not provided.
In a separate but related development concerning regional security, Houthi rebels have reportedly captured the strategic Mayun island. This island is located at the southern entrance to the Red Sea’s Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital chokepoint for global maritime trade. The capture of Mayun island by Houthi forces is seen as an escalation that opens a new front in existing regional tensions.
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a narrow waterway connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and is crucial for oil shipments and commercial traffic moving between Europe and Asia. Any disruption or perceived threat in this area can have significant implications for international shipping and energy markets.
The East-West pipeline, also known as Petroline, spans approximately 1,200 kilometers (750 miles) and connects the oil fields in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province to the Red Sea port of Yanbu. Its operational status is vital for Saudi Arabia’s ability to export crude oil to Western markets. The full extent of any production or export impact resulting from the pipeline shutdown was not detailed.
This dual series of events highlights the volatile security environment in the region. The circumstances surrounding the drone attack and the specific timeline of the Houthi rebels’ capture of Mayun island are subject to ongoing developments. The strategic implications of controlling territory around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, coupled with direct attacks on energy infrastructure, underscore the complex geopolitical landscape.
Story summarized from the original created by FATMA KHALED, SAMY MAGDY and CARA ANNA on www.inquirer.com, see more information here.
