Saudi Arabia’s 1,200-kilometer East-West oil pipeline came under attack in the Medina region, causing a small fire that was later brought under control, Reuters reported citing state media.

The attack resulted in no injuries or fatalities, while pipeline operations continued without interruption, the source confirmed.

The pipeline, which extends across the Arabian Peninsula to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, serves as a strategic alternative export route for Saudi crude. It was previously taken out of service for several days in September following drone attacks attributed to Iraqi militias.

Its importance has increased amid disruptions to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, as Saudi Arabia has redirected around 4 million barrels per day (mmbbl/d) of crude through the pipeline to Yanbu.

The diverted volumes account for approximately 4% of global oil supply, helping the world’s largest oil exporter sustain shipments despite the disruption to maritime traffic through the strategic waterway and the resulting impact on neighboring producers.