Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis have claimed responsibility for an attack on a Saudi Aramco facility in Jazan, with the group saying it targeted the refinery using a drone. The claim comes less than a month after the Houthis said they had carried out another series of missile and drone attacks on Aramco-linked facilities in Saudi Arabia.
Houthi claim attack on Aramco facility
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the group had targeted the Saudi Aramco refinery in Jazan. He linked the attack to Saudi actions in northwest Yemen.
Saree said the group had "succeeded in targeting the Aramco refinery in Jazan with a drone, and the strike was precise".
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Energy confirmed that a fire broke out at a Saudi Aramco facility in the southwestern Jazan region early on Sunday. The blaze was brought under control by the company's industrial security firefighting teams.
No injuries were reported in the incident, according to Saudi authorities.
Reports of explosion and fire
Anadolu Agency reported that a loud blast was heard in the area following the incident.
Iran's state broadcaster Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), citing Arab sources, reported that gas facilities in Jubail Industrial City had been targeted and caught fire. Israel's Channel 14 also reported that the Houthis had targeted a Saudi Aramco gas plant in Al Jubail.
Jubail Industrial City on Saudi Arabia's eastern coast is a major industrial and energy centre, with refining, petrochemical and gas infrastructure.
Second reported Houthi attack in a month
The latest claim follows a Houthi statement on July 26, when the group said it had carried out missile and drone operations against Aramco-affiliated facilities in Jazan and Yanbu.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said at the time that sensitive Aramco facilities in Jazan were targeted with ballistic missiles and drones. Facilities in Yanbu were also targeted with ballistic and cruise missiles and drones, according to the group.
The latest incident comes amid renewed Houthi activity in the Red Sea region and continuing concerns over attacks targeting Saudi energy and transport infrastructure.