Saudi Aramco Attack: Yemen’s Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for targeting facilities belonging to Aramco—one of the world’s leading oil companies—in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. According to Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree, the organization carried out the attack using ballistic missiles and drones. He claimed the strikes were precise and direct, resulting in a fire at an Aramco site.
However, Saudi officials have not confirmed the Houthis’ claim. There has also been no official statement yet from the state-owned oil company, Aramco, regarding the alleged attack or the cause of the fire.
Saudi-led coalition carries out 97 strikes
Amidst the Houthis’ claims of an attack, military tensions appear to be escalating in Yemen. On Sunday morning, the Saudi-led coalition announced that its forces had conducted 97 precision strikes against Houthi fighters on the Tor al-Baha front and the Taiz axis.
According to the coalition, these military operations involved the use of fighter jets, drones, artillery, missiles, and sniper units. Colonel Majid Abdullah al-Najili, a spokesman for the army of Yemen’s internationally recognized government, claimed that approximately 260 Houthi fighters were targeted and 44 military vehicles were destroyed or disabled during the operation.
Claim of targeting Aramco last month as well
Houthi rebels had previously claimed to have attacked Aramco facilities at the Yanbu port on Saudi Arabia’s western coast last month. At that time, Saudi Arabia stated that six ballistic missiles fired towards Yanbu and Taif had been intercepted and that no damage was caused to Aramco sites.
Earlier this week, the Saudi-led coalition also claimed that Houthi rebels had targeted a power station in Medina on Tuesday. Tensions between Saudi Arabia and Houthi rebels have escalated further following these events.
Conflict Intensifies After 2022 Ceasefire
The long-standing conflict in Yemen has seen a resurgence in recent days. Military activities between the two sides have increased since the 2022 ceasefire collapsed. In mid-September, Houthi rebels claimed to have seized the port city of Mocha and strategic islands in the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Subsequently, anti-Houthi forces attempted to stabilize the front lines.
The conflict in Yemen has been ongoing since 2014, when Houthi rebels captured the capital, Sana’a. This forced the Yemeni government to retreat to Aden. The protracted conflict has resulted in the displacement of a large number of people.
Potential Rise in Crude Oil Prices
Saudi Arabia is among the world’s largest oil producers and exporters. Consequently, any major attack on its oil infrastructure could impact the global energy market.
Amidst claims of attacks on Aramco and rising military tensions in West Asia, there are concerns about a potential surge in crude oil prices. If the conflict between Saudi Arabia and Houthi rebels persists, it could place strain on both oil supplies and critical energy routes in the region.
