Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement has claimed responsibility for a drone attack on an oil facility in Saudi Arabia’s southwestern Jizan region, hours after Saudi authorities reported extinguishing a fire at the site.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said on Sunday that the group had targeted the Aramco refinery in Jizan with a drone. He described the strike as accurate and said it was carried out in response to what the Houthis called Saudi drone activity in northwestern Yemen.
Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry earlier said a fire had broken out at one of the facilities at the Jizan refinery but did not identify its cause. Saudi Aramco’s industrial security firefighting teams brought the blaze under control, and the ministry said there were no injuries.
The ministry did not immediately confirm whether the fire was connected to the claimed Houthi attack.
The latest incident comes amid renewed tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis after a fragile truce in Yemen appeared to break down last month. The Houthis have also announced a maritime blockade targeting Saudi Arabia and have carried out attacks on Saudi-linked shipping in the Red Sea.
The group controls large parts of Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa, as well as territory close to Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea provinces.
Saudi Arabia entered Yemen’s conflict more than a decade ago as part of a coalition supporting the internationally recognised government against the Houthis. Fighting between the sides declined sharply following the 2022 truce, although a permanent political settlement was never reached.
The renewed attacks have raised concerns over the security of Saudi energy infrastructure and commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
The Jizan refinery has previously been targeted by the Houthis. The facility, located close to the Red Sea and the Yemeni border, is capable of processing hundreds of thousands of barrels of crude oil each day and produces refined fuels for the domestic and regional markets.
The latest Houthi claim also comes as shipping faces wider disruption across the Middle East. Iran has imposed restrictions around the Strait of Hormuz amid its confrontation with the United States, creating further pressure on international energy markets and maritime trade.
The Houthis have portrayed their attacks as part of their response to regional military actions, while Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states have repeatedly condemned attacks on energy infrastructure and commercial vessels.
It remained unclear whether the reported fire caused damage to refinery operations or affected production. Saudi authorities said relevant teams were continuing procedures following the incident.
