Houthi territorial gains coincide with Saudi pipeline halt

Saudi Arabia has halted oil transfers through a major pipeline after it was attacked by drones, according to France 24 International, disrupting a key route for the kingdom’s oil operations.

The development coincided with reports that Houthi forces had taken control of a strategic port and island near Bab el-Mandeb from Yemeni government forces. The supplied material does not identify the sites or provide independent verification of the territorial claims.

Bab el-Mandeb is a strategic maritime chokepoint between Yemen and the Horn of Africa. Control of locations around the waterway carries significance for regional security and shipping access, although the source does not detail any impact on maritime traffic.

Iran, which backs the Houthis, denied involvement in the attacks. The supplied material does not establish who carried out the drone strike against the pipeline, nor does it specify the extent of damage, injuries or how long the halt will last.

The reports follow earlier claims by Saudi and Iraqi authorities that drones launched from Iraq had damaged Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline. Perpetrators and motive in that incident had not been established.