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Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for a drone strike targeting Saudi Aramco's energy infrastructure, saying the attack was
carried out in retaliation for Saudi military operations in northwest Yemen, Reuters reported. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the group had "succeeded in targeting the Aramco refinery in Jizan with a drone", claiming the strike was "precise". The claim came after Saudi authorities reported a fire at an Aramco facility in the southwestern Jizan region early Sunday. Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Energy said the blaze was brought under control by the company's industrial security firefighting teams and that no injuries were reported.
Houthi Drone Strike Claims Put Saudi Energy Hub On Alert
The Houthis said the attack was launched in response to what they described as Saudi incursions into territory in northwest Yemen.
However, reports about the exact location of the strike have varied. While the Houthis referred to an Aramco refinery in Jizan, Israel's Channel 14 reported that a Saudi Aramco gas facility in Al Jubail had been hit.
Anadolu Agency reported that a loud explosion was heard in the area, while Iran's state broadcaster IRIB, citing Arab sources, said gas facilities in Jubail Industrial City had been targeted and caught fire.
Jubail, on Saudi Arabia's eastern coast, is one of the Kingdom's most important industrial centres and is home to extensive refining, petrochemical and gas infrastructure.
Fire Breaks Out At Aramco Facility, Saudi Arabia Says
Saudi authorities said the fire broke out at dawn on Sunday at an Aramco facility in Jizan. Industrial security firefighting teams were deployed and managed to extinguish the blaze, according to the Ministry of Energy.
Saudi officials did not immediately attribute the fire to a Houthi attack.
The incident comes as tensions remain high across the region, with the Houthis continuing to threaten Saudi interests amid renewed military activity around Yemen and the Red Sea.
Houthis Claim Another Strike On Saudi Aramco
The latest claim marks another reported Houthi operation against Saudi energy infrastructure in recent weeks.
On July 26, the Houthis said they had launched missile and drone attacks against Aramco-linked facilities in Jizan and Yanbu.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said ballistic missiles and drones were used against what the group described as sensitive Aramco facilities in Jizan. Facilities in Yanbu were also targeted with ballistic and cruise missiles, along with drones.
Saudi Energy Infrastructure In Houthi Crosshairs
The latest incident underscores growing concerns over the vulnerability of Saudi Arabia's energy and transport infrastructure as Houthi activity intensifies in and around the Red Sea.
Saudi Arabia has previously faced Houthi attacks targeting oil and energy facilities, raising fears that renewed hostilities could once again threaten one of the world's key energy hubs.
The latest developments come against the backdrop of heightened regional tensions and renewed Houthi military activity, with any further attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure likely to raise concerns in global oil markets.
