Yemeni Houthis Target Saudi Energy Facilities Amid Rising Tensions
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, The Houthi movement in Yemen on Tuesday targeted several energy facilities in southern Saudi Arabia with drones and missiles, according to reports by The Wall Street Journal based on published data from the Mehr News Agency. These attacks have heightened concerns about global oil supply.
The Houthi movement announced that the cities of Abha, Najran, and Jazan were targeted. Saudi officials stated that fires broke out at several locations and some operations were halted.
The most significant target was the Jazan refinery, owned by Aramco, which has a daily refining capacity of 400,000 barrels of crude oil. Informed sources indicated that refinery operations were suspended following the attack. This refinery had not been operating at full capacity even before due to previous attacks.
Oil and gas storage facilities and a power plant were also targeted. Aramco has not yet commented on the extent of the damage, and it remains unclear how much of Saudi Arabia’s oil production and export has been affected by the attacks.
The Houthi movement also targeted the King Khalid Air Base in Khamis Mushait, but the attack on Jazan Airport was unsuccessful, according to informed sources.
These attacks come as tensions between the Houthi movement and Saudi Arabia have once again escalated, with the Houthis threatening to target Saudi ships and oil tankers in the Red Sea.
The oil market reacted to the news, with Brent crude prices increasing by 1.7 percent to $98.62 per barrel, nearing the $100 mark.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the primary concern for the market is the potential for attacks to expand to Saudi oil facilities, especially at a time when the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran has already disrupted oil flow from the Strait of Hormuz.
