YEMEN’S HOUTHI ATTACK ARAMCO’S JEDDAH OIL DEPOT

Fri 25 March 2022:

A huge fire has been reported at an oil facility in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with Yemen’s Houthi rebels admitting to launching a series of attacks against the kingdom.

Saudi state television stated on Friday that Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militia had launched a series of drone and missile attacks, and a big plume of black smoke could be seen rising in Jeddah, which is hosting a Formula One event on Sunday.

While Saudi Arabia and its state-owned oil company, Saudi Aramco, did not immediately acknowledge the fire, it appeared to be centered on the same gasoline storage that the Houthis had struck recently.

#Houthi strike just hit an #Aramco facility in #Jeddah , on the eve of the #SaudiArabia Grand Prix. pic.twitter.com/zoVcaDw8QB

— INDEPENDENT PRESS (@IpIndependent) March 25, 2022

Later on Friday, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea stated the group used missiles to assault Aramco’s installations, as well as drones to attack the Ras Tanura and Rabigh refineries.

Sarea went on to say that the strike also targeted important facilities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital.

Al Arabiya TV, quoting the coalition, said the kingdom’s air defence system destroyed two explosive-laden drones targeting Najran.

Those on the F1 track could see the large black smoke cloud in the distance.

#Houthi strike just hit an #Aramco facility in #Jeddah, on the eve of the #SaudiArabia Grand Prix. pic.twitter.com/gYmXKjsoxk

— INDEPENDENT PRESS (@IpIndependent) March 25, 2022

“The position at the moment is that we are waiting for further information from the authorities on what has happened,” the F1 said in a statement.

Saudi state television acknowledged attacks in the town of Dhahran that hit water tanks while also damaging vehicles and houses.

According to state television, another strike targeted an electricity substation near the Yemeni border in southern Saudi Arabia.

The North Jeddah Bulk Plant keeps diesel, gasoline, and jet fuel on hand for municipal use. It provides more than a quarter of Saudi Arabia’s supplies, as well as fuel for a regional desalination facility.

The Houthis have fired cruise missiles at the North Jeddah plant twice, the first in November 2020 and the second on Sunday.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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