Possible Attack on Saudi Petro Rabigh Complex Amid Rising Yemen Tensions
A possible attack on Saudi Arabia's Petro Rabigh refining and petrochemical complex near Jeddah has been reported, although 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, but no official confirmation has been issued by Saudi authorities or Saudi Aramco.
Indications of a fire at the facility have emerged, with videos circulating on Telegram showing a significant fire involving a storage tank at the Rabigh complex. Satellite observations also detected elevated thermal activity around the facility, and online imagery showed a smoke plume, suggesting a fire near storage infrastructure.
The rising tensions coincide with renewed fighting in Yemen, increasing the risk of Houthi strikes against critical Saudi infrastructure. The Houthis have previously targeted energy facilities, including a March 2022 attack on the Rabigh refinery as part of a coordinated strike against several Saudi energy assets.
Despite the reports, oil prices showed little reaction, with WTI crude trading at 90.74, down 0.41%, and Brent crude at 102.16, down 0.09%.