Saudi Civil Defense issues emergency alert in Khamis Mushait

The Saudi Civil Defense issued an early warning alert for the Khamis Mushait governorate in the Asir region to alert residents of an unspecified danger. During the alert, authorities instructed citizens to remain calm, seek shelter in safe indoor locations away from windows, and avoid balconies, rooftops, or open areas. The Civil Defense later announced that the danger had passed.

This emergency alert follows reports of attacks on the East-West Pipeline, also known as the ‘Petroline,’ which connects the eastern region of Abqaiq to the Red Sea coast at Yanbu. According to a Ministry of Energy official, the pipeline suffered multiple attacks on Thursday, September 10, resulting in human injuries and a precautionary suspension of operations. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the attacks were carried out by drones launched from Iraqi territory.

The East-West Pipeline is a critical piece of infrastructure with a capacity of up to seven million barrels per day. It serves as a vital land route for transporting oil from eastern fields to western ports, providing an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz.