Yanbu Oil Refinery Avoids Damage as Missiles Fired from Yemen are Intercepted

A Saudi oil refinery in Yanbu narrowly avoided damage after two ballistic missiles fired from Yemen were intercepted by air defense systems, Greek security sources told Reuters. The attack came a day after US forces launched fresh airstrikes on Iran.

The civil defense department issued warnings for the city of Yanbu and later declared that the danger had passed. No official reports of damage were made public.

The defense system was operated by Greek military personnel, who have been deployed in Saudi Arabia since 2021 to help protect the kingdom's energy infrastructure. The US has threatened to widen its range of targets to include Iran's energy plants and bridges, sending ground forces to seize its oil hub of Kharg Island.

The Houthis, who control northern and western Yemen, have declared a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia, insisting that only Saudi-linked trade is under blockade. The attacks on Thursday pushed oil prices up 7% to over $100 per barrel for the first time since May.