Riyadh: Saudi Arabia has temporarily shut down its strategic East-West Pipeline as a precaution after multiple attacks targeted the facility in the Riyadh and Madinah regions on Thursday, the Ministry of Energy said.

The attacks caused several injuries, with those affected receiving medical treatment. Emergency and technical teams were deployed to secure the pipeline and assess its safety in coordination with relevant authorities.

The pipeline is a key alternative route for Saudi crude exports, carrying oil from the eastern fields to the Red Sea port of Yanbu and reducing reliance on the Strait of Hormuz.