Yanbu Oil Terminal Hit by Projectile in Second Attack This Month

The Saudi oil export terminal at Yanbu on the Red Sea has been hit by an unidentified projectile, causing a fire and temporarily suspending operations. The attack comes just days after French President Emanuel Macron pledged to protect Yanbu with France's air defense capabilities.

According to security consultancy Vanguard Tech, the projectile landed within the port area and caused a fire near a tank farm. Bystander videos from the scene show one isolated fire in the vicinity of the tank farm. The terminal had recently resumed loadings after a 17-day shutdown due to a major strike on the East-West Pipeline, which feeds the terminal with crude from Saudi fields.

Saudi forces reported shooting down a small number of attempted drone and ballistic missile strikes at Jazan and Khamis Mushait on the same day. The new strike at Yanbu follows shortly after Saudi Aramco had successfully restored loadings at the terminal.