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Saudi Arabian Oil Pipeline Attacked by Houthi Drones

© AP Photo / Hasan JamaliIn response to the high cost of US shale, Saudi Arabia has been selling its massive stockpile of crude oil at rock-bottom prices.
In response to the high cost of US shale, Saudi Arabia has been selling its massive stockpile of crude oil at rock-bottom prices. - Sputnik International
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The attack on the pumping stations, which are serving a major East-West oil pipeline, comes days after the Saudi authorities reported that the country's ships had been sabotaged near the UAE.

Two oil pumping stations have been attacked by drones in Saudi Arabia, Minister of Energy, Industry, and Mineral Resources Khalid bin Al-Falih said on Tuesday.

According to the minister, the attack, which resulted in a fire at station No. 8, occurred between 6.00 a.m. and 6.30 a.m. local time on Tuesday.

READ MORE: Saudi Arabia Executes 37 Nationals on Charges of Terrorism — Reports

He slammed the attack as a "cowardly act of terrorism" targeted against Saudi Arabia and the global economy, stressing the need to counter terror groups, including "Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen."

"Crude oil production and export of Saudi oil and oil products continue, they have not been interrupted," Falih added.

The official further noted that despite the incident, the production and export of Saudi oil would continue "without interruption".

A picture taken on May 13, 2019 off the coast of the Gulf emirate of Fujairah shows the A. Michel tanker under the flag of the United Arab Emirates, one of the four tankers damaged in alleged sabotage attacks in the Gulf the previous day. - Sputnik International
Ships Sabotaged in UAE Waters Belonged to Norway, UAE, Saudi Arabia - Reports
Commenting on the event, the kingdom's national oil company, Saudi Aramco, said that no injuries had been registered.

Following the attack, the Associated Press reported that the Houthis had claimed responsibility for the attack, which was meant to send a message to the kingdom to stop what the militants described as "aggression".

The stations are serving a major East-West oil pipeline that transports crude from the oilfields in the Eastern Province to the port of Yanbu on the west coast.

The incident comes days after the minister said that two country's vessels were targeted in a "sabotage attack" near the UAE. According to Reuters, one of the targeted vessels was en route to being loaded with Saudi crude from Ras Tanura port to be delivered to Aramco customers in the US before the attack.

READ MORE: Yemeni Minister Says Houthi Withdrawal Offer From 3 Ports Inaccurate, Misleading

In the wake of the Yemen conflict, the Houthis have repeatedly targeted military and oil facilities inside Saudi Arabia with rockets. The Saudi-led coalition has been carrying out airstrikes against the Houthis at the request of former Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi since 2015.

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