Sanaa Military Source Reveals New Development in Targeting Saudi Oil Facilities and Links De-escalation to These Conditions
A Lebanese newspaper reveals details of the recent attack on the "East–West" pipeline and confirms that Saudi oil facilities are now within the target bank of Sanaa forces amid escalating confrontation.
NYN | Reports and Analyses
The Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar revealed new developments in the path of military escalation between Sanaa and Riyadh, following the recent operation targeting the pipelines and pumping stations of the Saudi “East–West” pipeline, which serves as one of the most critical routes for transporting crude oil to the Yanbu port on the Red Sea.
According to the newspaper, the operation came in response to what Sanaa described as the continued intrusion of Saudi drones into Yemeni airspace. It noted that the attack utilized low-cost drones without the involvement of the missile forces, signaling the targeting of scattered, sensitive operational points within the oil transport system.
Targeting the Operational Infrastructure of the Pipeline
The newspaper explained that the nature of the attack suggests the objective was not direct destruction of the facilities, but rather disrupting the operational infrastructure of the pipeline, which transports nearly seven million barrels of crude oil per day from the Eastern Province to the port of Yanbu—a route that has become a vital lifeline for Saudi oil exports.
It added that the operation brought back memories of the 2019 attack on Aramco facilities in Abqaiq and Khurais, which caused a temporary halt to approximately 5.7 million barrels per day of production at the time. However, the current targeting focuses on the oil transport system, which has gained increasing importance amid regional maritime complexities.
Decline in Traffic at Yanbu Port
The paper pointed out that the operation coincided with indicators of a nearly 50% decline in traffic at Yanbu port during the first week of the naval blockade announced by Sanaa forces. This comes alongside a rise in the number of oil tankers and vessels prevented from transiting the Red Sea, which could impact the volume of oil exports passing through the port.
Military Source: De-escalation Tied to Fulfilling Demands
The newspaper quoted a military source in Sanaa as saying that Saudi oil facilities have been placed within the bank of military targets. The source emphasized that ending the escalation hinges on Riyadh’s compliance with a series of demands, chief among them lifting the naval and air blockade and addressing unresolved humanitarian and political issues.
This development comes at a time when the region is witnessing heightened tensions, with regional and international actors closely monitoring the implications of these military operations on energy security and maritime navigation in the Red Sea.
