From Iraq to Yemen: How Iran-linked groups are putting Saudi energy routes under pressure

A satellite image shows smoke rising from area near East-West oil pipeline, in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia (Picture credit: Reuters) Saudi Arabia on Saturday has temporarily shut down its East-West oil pipeline after a drone attack on the vital energy conduit, in an escalation that has put further pressure on Iraq and raised fresh concerns over disruptions to global oil supplies.Saudi Arabia and Iraq have said the drones originated from Iraqi territory, where Iran-backed militias operate. Iraq has ordered an investigation and dismissed two senior officials following the attack, while an umbrella group of Iran-backed Iraqi militias has denied responsibility.The developments come as Iran continues to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have advanced along the Red Sea, putting pressure on another major route for global trade.Here is what we know so far.What happened to Saudi Arabia’s oil pipeline?Saudi Arabia shut down its 1,200-km East-West pipeline as a precaution after it came under a drone attack.The pipeline runs across the Arabian Peninsula from Saudi Arabia’s major oil fields in the east to the Red Sea in the west. It has been...