By Desmond Nleya
Iran-aligned Houthi forces have seized full control of Yemen’s Red Sea coastline following a rapid military advance against government forces, raising fresh concerns over regional security and the safety of one of the world’s most important shipping corridors.
The development comes as Saudi Arabia temporarily suspended operations on its strategic East-West oil pipeline after it was targeted by drones launched from Iraq.
Riyadh said the pipeline shutdown was a precautionary measure following the attack, while Saudi authorities have so far refrained from launching an immediate retaliatory strike, giving Iraqi authorities time to prevent further attacks from its territory.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has ordered an investigation into the incident and dismissed a regional military commander after confirming that the drones targeting the Saudi pipeline originated from Iraq.
The East-West pipeline is a critical component of Saudi Arabia’s oil infrastructure, allowing crude to be transported across the kingdom from the oil-producing east to the Red Sea coast, providing an alternative route that reduces reliance on the Strait of Hormuz.
The reported attack comes amid heightened tensions across the Middle East, with the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Strait of Hormuz increasingly caught up in the wider regional conflict.
Meanwhile, Iran is expected to hold talks with Gulf states in Oman on Monday to discuss security around the Strait of Hormuz, in a move aimed at easing tensions and strengthening regional security cooperation.
The combination of Houthi control along Yemen’s Red Sea coast and the latest attack on Saudi oil infrastructure has intensified fears that the conflict could increasingly threaten energy supplies and international shipping.
The developments also underscore the growing involvement of Iraq and other regional actors in the widening security crisis, with governments under mounting pressure to prevent their territories from being used to launch attacks against neighbouring states.
