SANAA (Reuters) - Attackers blew up Yemen's main oil export pipeline on Friday, halting the flow of crude, an official working for the state-run Safer oil company said, the latest in a series of attacks.

Yemen's oil and gas pipelines have been repeatedly sabotaged by insurgents and tribesmen, especially since anti-government protests created a power vacuum in 2011, causing fuel shortages and slashing export earnings for the impoverished country.

Yemen's stability is a priority for the United States and its Gulf Arab allies because of its strategic position next to top oil exporter Saudi Arabia and shipping lanes, and because is home to one of al Qaeda's most active wings.

"Subversive elements" had blown up the pipeline linking the al-Hawi Wadi Abida production field in the central Marib province to the Red Sea on Friday morning, the Safer official told Reuters, declining to be identified.

The blast had halted crude flows to the Ras Isa terminal but pumping would resume once the pipeline had been repaired, he added.

"The pipeline burst into flames immediately after the explosion," a witness said.

The last in a spate of attacks on the pipeline was in January, when production was halted for one day. In December, Yemen said oil was being pumped through the pipeline at a rate of around 70,000 barrels per day (bpd).

The pipeline used to carry around 110,000 bpd of Marib light crude to Ras Isa.

A long closure of the line last year forced Yemen's largest refinery at Aden to shut, leaving the small producer dependent on fuel donations from Saudi Arabia and imports.

(Reporting By Mohammed Ghobari, writing by Raissa Kasolowsky, editing by William Hardy)

• Suria Capital, SBC Corp in RM1.8b Sabah JV
• CIMB advances in early trade, Dayang in focus
• RHB Research downgrades Dayang Enterprise to Neutral
• Alliance Research ups CIMB Group’s target price to RM9.64
• JF Apex Research ups Bumi Armada FV to RM4.27
• Dow, S&P end at all time high on Fed officials' reassurance
• China's bird flu outbreak cost US$6.5bil loss
• Microsoft unveils Xbox One with Spielberg, Activision tie-up
• What is the Irish loophole behind iPhone maker Apple's low tax bill(update)
• EPF invests more abroad, investment assets exceed half-a-trillion ringgit
• Bad behaviour spreads to oil market
• What is integrated talent management?
• Mida: Investments up 44% to RM49.3bil in first quarter
• San Miguel keen to keep bank unit if CIMB walks away from RM905.55mil deal
• 4As eyeing FODM conference in Thailand next year

• Polish mine launches salt photo contest
• Thunder star Durant pledges $1mil for tornado relief
• Amazon plans greenhouse-style headquarters

• Injured Murray withdraws from French Open
• Ramy wins fiery battle of words and deeds
• Low Wee Wern fails to clear opening round again in British Open
• Teenager Addeen gets massive boost Down Under
• Hosts Malaysia make a tame exit at the hands of Germany
• Denmark not prepared to take on mighty China just yet
• Japanese upset Danes and Joo-bong is all smiles
• Dane loves to unwind with her Modern Family
• Tommy not afraid to play for country despite loss
• It’s the last $traw thanks to the BWF
• BAM: There will be no more sweeping under the carpet
• Cyclists give the thumbs up to world-class velodrome
• Australian Evans says Giro dream still alive
• Savinder Kaur is new middle distance queen after 1,500m victory
• Elena walks her way to a new record

• Please wait.

• Sarawak leaders triple their salaries
• HR manager laments declining standard of English
• EPF invests more abroad, investment assets exceed half-a-trillion ringgit
• Loan sharks making life hell for retiree
• Huge education workforce
• Green Packet ready to sell some assets
• What is the Irish loophole behind iPhone maker Apple's low tax bill(update)
• What is integrated talent management?
• CIMB Q1 profit advances 37%
• Child bride and hubby enjoying married life