Fire Reported at Saudi Refinery Amid Houthi Attack Claims
Reports of a possible attack on Saudi Arabia's Petro Rabigh refining and petrochemical complex near Jeddah emerged on Monday, though Saudi authorities have yet to confirm the incident. Iran's Tasnim news agency cited Yemeni sources claiming an oil refinery in the Jeddah area was attacked. However, no official confirmation has come from Saudi authorities or Saudi Aramco.
Indications of a fire at the facility have surfaced, with videos on Telegram showing significant flames involving a storage tank at the Rabigh complex. Satellite observations also detected elevated thermal activity, and online imagery revealed a smoke plume near the site. These visual clues align with the likelihood of a fire near storage infrastructure.
The rising tensions coincide with renewed hostilities in Yemen, where the Houthis have previously targeted Saudi energy facilities. The Rabigh refinery was last attacked in March 2022 as part of a broader strike campaign against Saudi energy assets. Yemen's government has recently launched a major military campaign to retake Houthi-controlled territories, escalating the civil war.
Despite the reports, oil prices showed minimal reaction. WTI crude was trading at 90.74, down 0.41%, while Brent crude stood at 102.16, down 0.09%.