The Saudi energy ministry has issued a statement announcing the “precuationary shutdown’ of the East-West Pipeline following multiple attacks.

It says the pipeline was attacked several times on Thursday in the Riyadh and Madina regions.

“The pipeline was shut down as a precautionary measure; the attacks resulted in some injuries, and medical care has been provided to the injured,” the statement reads.

It adds that emergency and specialized technical teams responded to the incidents immediately, “taking the necessary measures to secure the pipeline and verify its safety in accordance with approved safety protocols and emergency plans, in coordination with relevant authorities”.