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A new attack targeted Aramco’s Jazan refinery in southwestern Saudi Arabia early on August 9, with Yemen’s Houthis (Ansar Allah) claiming responsibility.
Early in the morning, the Saudi Energy Ministry said a fire was put down at the refinery, which processes 400,000 barrels of crude oil per day and produces refined products including gasoline and ultra-low sulfur diesel.
Aramco’s industrial security teams had brought the fire under control and the relevant authorities were completing procedures to deal with the incident, the ministry said on X, without clarifying the causes of the fire. Data from NASA’s FIRMS system indicate that the fire was extensive.
Later, however, the Houthis claimed responsibility. In a brief statement, Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said the group carried out the attack with a drone, claiming that it was in response to alleged Saudi drone attacks on the provinces of Saada and Hajjah in Yemen.
The Houthis announced a “maritime blockade” against Saudi Arabia last month, and since then the group has carried out a series of missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi airports, oil facilities, and tankers in the Red Sea.
The Jazan refinery was among the first targets to be hit by the group. It was struck on July 27. The attack caused a major fire that went on for days and forced Aramco to shut the facility down.
The Houthis’ ability to successfully target the refinery again shows that Saudi Arabia is facing serious air defense problems.
In the face of this escalation, Saudi Arabia is reported to be preparing an offensive against the Houthis, including a potential ground operation, in cooperation with the Yemeni government. At the same time, the kingdom is said to be engaged diplomatically through Oman in an attempt to de-escalate.
Notably, the latest attack came just a few days after Saudi Arabia inked a joint defense pact with both Turkey and Pakistan, with reports indicating that the two could support the kingdom in Yemen.
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