Houthi Rebels Target Saudi Aramco Refinery with Drone Attack

The Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen have attacked the Saudi Aramco refinery facility in Jazan, southwestern Saudi Arabia, using a drone on Sunday. The attack occurred just two days after Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan signed a defense pact amid growing tension in the Middle East.

The Energy Ministry of Saudi Arabia confirmed that a fire broke out at the facility but stated that there were no casualties. However, the Houthi-led Yemeni Armed Forces spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that it was 'in response to the Saudi enemy's breach of the airspace of the provinces of Saada and Hajjah with its drones.'

The refinery has a capacity of 400,000 barrels per day and was shut down in late July. Aramco Chief Executive Amin Nasser had expressed concerns about disruptions to oil production but noted that operations would be restored quickly.