Repair work on Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline, damaged in an attack last week, could take three to five weeks, potentially leaving most of the crucial route out of service during that period, regional officials told The Associated Press.


The 1,200-kilometre pipeline was shut down on September 10 following an attack that Saudi Arabia blamed on drones launched by Iranian-backed militias in Iraq. One of the officials said the pipeline could continue operating partially while repairs are carried out, including work at a major pumping facility.


The East-West Pipeline has the capacity to transport up to 7 million barrels of crude oil per day. It is a key component of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to export oil without relying on the Strait of Hormuz, where Iranian attacks have disrupted shipping. The pipeline carries crude from the kingdom’s Gulf ports to its Red Sea coast, where it can be loaded onto tankers for export.


The officials, who were briefed on the situation, spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media. Saudi oil giant Aramco, which operates the pipeline, did not immediately respond to AP’s request for comment.


Meanwhile, Iran-backed Houthi rebels have captured the strategic islands of Greater and Lesser Hanish in the Red Sea, according to Yemeni government and Houthi officials.


The islands are located about 160 kilometres north of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical maritime chokepoint linking the Red Sea with the open ocean and providing access to Saudi Arabia’s major Asian markets.


The Houthis have intensified attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure and shipping in the Red Sea over the past month, putting additional pressure on global oil prices and increasing Iran’s leverage in its conflict with the United States.


The rebels reportedly deployed on the Hanish islands after hundreds of Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces withdrew. Their advance follows the capture last week of the mainland port city of Mokha and Mayun Island in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The Houthi forces are now reportedly about 32 kilometres from a US military base in Djibouti.


By Vafa Guliyeva