Houthis target Saudi Aramco refinery with drones

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis targeted a Saudi Aramco oil refinery in Jazan on Tuesday with drones, rebel media reported, as the group escalated attacks on Saudi Arabia after announcing a maritime blockade.

Did Houthis attack a Saudi refinery?

The Houthis said they launched several drones at the Aramco refinery in Jazan, southern Saudi Arabia. Houthi media said the attack was carried out in response to alleged airspace violations over Yemen’s Saada and Hajjah governorates.

Houthi news agency Saba cited a military source for the claim. The report did not provide details on whether the drones caused damage or casualties at the refinery.

Why are Houthis attacking Saudi Arabia?

Yemen has been embroiled in more than a decade of civil conflict. In July, the country became the latest to be drawn into the Middle East war after the Houthis upended a 2022 truce with Yemen’s Saudi-backed government.

The group has since launched attacks on areas controlled by the Yemeni government as well as targets in Saudi Arabia. The Houthis later announced a maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia, which backs the Yemeni government and has led a coalition that heavily bombed Houthi areas throughout the war.

Last month, the Houthis welcomed an Iranian plane that landed in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa. That development was followed by a series of tit-for-tat attacks.

What has the UN said about the Houthi attacks?

The United Nations said it was “deeply concerned” by the reported strikes. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ official spokesman said the attacks risked drawing Yemen further into the wider regional conflict.

“Such attacks risk further entangling Yemen in the wider regional confrontation, at a time when the region is already facing intense pressure and regional trade and energy flows are under severe strain,” the spokesman said.

Have Houthis targeted Saudi oil facilities before?

The Houthis have attacked Saudi tankers in the Red Sea and Yemeni government forces since the latest round of fighting began. The group has also repeatedly targeted Saudi Arabia’s oil infrastructure and airports.

The latest reported strike on the Aramco refinery in Jazan comes as the Houthis expand attacks linked to the wider conflict and their announced maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia.