The Iran-aligned Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for a drone attack on a Saudi Aramco refinery. This follows a series of attacks on Saudi-related vessels in the Red Sea, now extending to Saudi energy facilities.
According to reports from Reuters and Houthi-affiliated Saba News on August 13, the Houthis stated that two drones targeted the Aramco refinery located on the southwestern coast of Jizan.
The Houthis asserted, "The drones accurately struck their targets," claiming the attack was retaliation for Saudi incursions into the airspace of the Saada and Hajjah regions. The Saudi government and Aramco have not yet confirmed the attack or any damage to the facility.
The Jizan refinery is a major facility capable of processing approximately 400,000 barrels of crude oil per day. The Houthis also claimed to have attacked the same facility with drones on August 9. At that time, the Saudi Ministry of Energy reported that a fire at the facility had been extinguished and that there were no casualties, but did not disclose the cause of the fire.
Tensions between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia have escalated since last month. Following an attack on the runway of Sanaa International Airport, the Houthis declared an end to the ceasefire, blaming Saudi Arabia for the incident. However, the attack on the airport was claimed by the Yemeni government forces, which are supported by Saudi Arabia.
On July 20, the Houthis announced a maritime blockade targeting Saudi-related vessels in the Red Sea, describing it as retaliation for Saudi Arabia's blockade of Yemen. Saudi Arabia has denied these claims of a blockade.
On August 11, the Houthis attacked a Tanzanian-flagged cargo ship in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, claiming it was transporting Saudi military equipment.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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