Saudi Aramco oil storage site missiles attacked by Houthi

Saudi Aramco oil storage site missiles attacked by Houthi. 

RIYADH: Yemen’s Houthis claimed responsibility for Friday’s attacks on Saudi energy installations. The Saudi-led coalition said the attack targeted oil giant Aramco’s petroleum products distribution station in Jeddah, triggering a fire in two storage tanks but no injuries.

According to one eyewitness, a big plume of black smoke could rise over the Red Sea city where the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is being held this weekend.

In recent weeks, the Iran-aligned Houthis have increased their attacks against the kingdom’s oil facilities just before a short cease-fire for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Despite the coalition’s repeated claims that it is exercising restraint in the face of the attacks, it launched a military operation in Yemen early on Saturday, claiming it was necessary to secure global energy sources and supply routes.

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According to a coalition statement broadcast on state television on Friday, the fire had been brought under control. However, flames could still be seen in live footage broadcast by the Saudi-owned Ekhbariya television channel.

According to state news agency SPA, citing a Saudi energy ministry official, the kingdom strongly condemned the “sabotage attacks,” reaffirming that it would not bear responsibility for any global oil supply interruptions caused by such attacks.

The ministry criticized Iran for providing the Houthis with ballistic missiles and advanced drones, warning that the strikes would “hurt the Kingdom’s production capacity and ability to meet its obligations to global markets.” However, Teheran maintains that the Houthis are not armed.

Aramco did not respond to a request for comment right away.

The alliance claimed the airstrikes on Saturday were aimed at “threat sources” in Houthi-controlled Sanaa and the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah.

The attacks occurred during the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, held in Jeddah. According to a media witness, the dense black smoke could be seen from the racetrack.