Pakistan condemns drone attacks on pipeline in Saudi Arabia

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.

Pakistan reaffirmed its unwavering support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, security and prosperity of the Kingdom, and reiterates its solidarity with the leadership, Government and brotherly people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Pakistan has been and will continue to make earnest efforts for achieving lasting peace and stability in the region.

Earlier, Saudi Arabia shut down its East-West pipeline after the vital oil conduit came under aerial attack in the widening Middle East war, threatening to send energy prices even higher. The world’s largest crude oil exporter temporarily closed the pipeline after a drone attack that both Baghdad and Riyadh said had originated in Iraq.

Iraq dismissed a military commander on Saturday in response to the attack. The 1,200-km (745-mile) pipeline running across the Arabian Peninsula had helped Saudi Arabia to bypass a shipping logjam in the Strait of Hormuz, where tanker traffic has slowed to a trickle due to the six-month war between the U.S. and Iran.

The Saudi Energy Ministry said it had shut the pipeline as a precaution. The line has been moving 4 million to 5 million barrels per day in recent months, amounting to 4% to 5% of global supply, analysts.

The attack came as Houthi rebels in Yemen tightened their grip in the Red Sea, which combined with the Strait of Hormuz disruptions has put an energy squeeze on both sides of the Arabian Peninsula and sent global oil prices back above $100 per barrel.