Top crude exporter Saudi Arabia announced a “temporary reduction” in oil output at a facility run by energy giant Aramco on Sunday, after Yemen’s Huthi rebels launched multiple cross-border attacks.
A drone assault on the YASREF refinery, in the Yanbu Industrial City on the Red Sea, has “led to a temporary reduction in the refinery’s production, which will be compensated for from the inventory,” the energy ministry said, adding that there were no casualties.
The statement cited a ministry official as saying two drone attacks at around 5:30 am (0230 GMT) were launched at Yanbu’s gas plant and another on YASREF, which produces 400,000 barrels per day (bpd), according to its website.
The official condemned the attacks, saying they followed a Saturday “drone assault” on a petroleum products distribution terminal in Jizan in the south of the country.
The Huthis, against whom Saudi Arabia leads a military coalition in Yemen, have repeatedly targeted the kingdom, including Aramco’s sites.
The insurgents said on Sunday that they launched cross-border drone and missile attacks on the kingdom, targeting a number of “vital and important” establishments – including Aramco facilities.
The coalition, meanwhile, said it intercepted and destroyed ballistic missiles launched toward Jizan as well as nine armed drones targeting other areas in the kingdom.