This attack came ahead of the Formula One race in Saudi Arabia. Although it was the rebels’ most prominent attack to date, Saudi authorities promised that the upcoming grand prix would continue as planned.
The attack on the North Jiddah Bulk Plant, which is located just southeast of the city’s international airport, was the same as the Houthis’ recent attacks on the fuel depot. It is an important hub for Muslim pilgrims headed to Mecca. The attack did not result in any injuries.
Saudi Arabian Oil Co. (also known as Saudi Aramco) is a publicly traded company. They did not respond to our request for comment. Saudi authorities confirmed that the Houthis launched a hostile operation against the depot using a missile.
Saudi Arabia is leading a coalition fighting the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen. They seized Sanaa, Yemen’s capital, in September 2014. International criticism has been levelled at the kingdom for its airstrikes which have killed scores of civilians. The Houthis also point to the fact that they use drones, missiles, and mortars to attack the kingdom.
Brig. Brig.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, al-Malki stated that “this hostile escalation targets crude oil facilities and seeks to undermine energy security as the backbone of global economic growth.” “These hostile attacks did not have any impact on Jiddah’s public life.
Overnight, the Saudi-led coalition threatened to launch new attacks against Yemen, including on Hodeida, the port city hardest hit.
Jake Sullivan, White House national safety adviser, condemned the attacks, calling them “clearly supported by Iran” despite an ongoing U.N. arm embargo. Although Tehran denies arming Houthis, U.N. experts have found that weapons in rebel hands are linked to Iran by Western nations and U.N. officials.
Authorities in Tehran bathed the Azadi Square, also known as “Freedom,” with a projection that showed the faces of Houthi leaders.
“At a moment when the parties should focus on de-escalation, bringing needed lifesaving relief to Yemeni people before the holy month Ramadan begins, the Houthis continue with their destructive behavior and reckless terrorist attack strikes striking civilian infrastructure,” Antony Blinken, U.S. Secretary Of State, said separately in a statement.
Boris Johnson, the British Prime Minister, condemned the Houthi attacks via Twitter. He wrote, “These strikes place civilian lives at risk and must be stopped.”
A photojournalist from Associated Press covering practice laps at Jiddah’s F1 track saw smoke rising to the east. The flames were visible approximately 11.5 kilometers (7 mi) away.
The fire blazed, and drivers raced to the finish. The fire continued to blaze into Saturday morning.
Sunday’s second-ever Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will be held in Jiddah. However, some have expressed concern about recent attacks on the kingdom.
Hours later, F1 announced that Saturday’s third practice, qualifying and Sunday race plans were still in place. Saudi Motorsport Co., the promoter of the race, acknowledged that there was an attack, but stated that the “race weekend schedule” will be as it had been.
We “remain with Saudi security authorities, F1 and FIA in order to ensure all security and safety measures,” said the company, referring to the governing body of motorsport.
“The safety and security for all our guests remains our top priority.”
Later, the al-Masirah satellite-news channel of Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed that they had attacked Aramco facilities in Jiddah along with other targets in Riyadh.
Saudi state TV confirmed that attacks on water tanks in one town, which resulted in the destruction of homes and vehicles, was also reported by them. State TV reported that another attack was committed against an electrical substation located in southwestern Saudi Arabia, near the Yemeni border.
The North Jiddah Bulk Plant stocks diesel, gasoline, and jet fuel to be used in Jiddah (the kingdom’s second largest city). It supplies more than 25% of Saudi Arabia’s fuel and is essential for running a regional desalination facility.
Two times, the North Jiddah nuclear plant was attacked by Houthis using cruise missiles. The first attack was in November 2020. As part of a larger barrage by the Houthis , the last attack came on Sunday.
According to a U.N panel of experts, the tank was carrying diesel fuel at the time of the 2020 attack. It had a capacity for 500,000 barrels. Aramco spent $1.5 million to repair it following the last attack.
According to U.N. experts, the facility was a “civilian target” that the Houthis should not have targeted after the 2020 attack.
The panel stated that while the facility supplies the Saudi military with petroleum products it is mostly supplying civilian clients. “The impact of the plant being out of service for a prolonged period on the economy of Saudi Arabia and the welfare of Western residents would have been substantial,” the panel stated.
Although cruise missiles and drones are still difficult to defend against, the U.S. sent a large number of Patriot antimissile interceptors to Saudi Arabia in recent times to help resupply the country during the Houthi attacks.
The Associated Press reported in September that the U.S. had taken its Patriot and THAAD defense system from Prince Sultan Air Base outside Riyadh.
As a long-running war in the Arab world’s most impoverished country continues, the attacks raise questions about the kingdom’s ability to defend itself against Houthi fire. This also happens as Saudi Arabia issues an unusually clear warning that its oil production will not be affected by any further attacks. This could lead to higher global energy prices due to Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Benchmark Brent crude oil prices rose to $120 per barrel during Friday trading
