Oil loading operations at Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea port of Yanbu have been completely halted, Middle East Eye reported on Tuesday, citing a source familiar with the matter.
The suspension follows a drone attack last week on Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline, reportedly carried out by an Iran-aligned Iraqi armed group. The pipeline transports crude to Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast, from where oil is loaded at Yanbu for export to international markets.
Saudi Arabia shut down the pipeline following the attack, resulting in the suspension of oil-loading operations at Yanbu, according to the report.
The disruption comes amid growing security risks affecting Saudi Arabia’s oil export routes. Following attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran on February 28, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, prompting Saudi Arabia to increase shipments through the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb strait.
With the pipeline now shut and shipping through Bab el-Mandeb facing further disruption, Saudi Arabia’s alternative export routes have come under pressure.
Saudi state-owned oil giant Aramco did not respond to questions about the reported suspension of oil loading at Yanbu, according to Middle East Eye.
The Bab el-Mandeb strait connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, while the Suez Canal lies at the northern end of the Red Sea and provides a major maritime route between Europe and Asia.
The report also said Houthi forces captured the Yemeni port city of Mocha last week and subsequently declared that Saudi vessels would not be allowed to pass through Bab el-Mandeb.
Saudi and Yemeni government forces are reportedly conducting operations to push the Houthis out of Mocha, with Saudi aircraft carrying out airstrikes in Yemen.
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