Yemen Targets Saudi Aramco Facility in Jizan in Response to Airspace Violations

Yemen’s Armed Forces have targeted a Saudi Aramco facility in Jizan with a drone, saying the operation was carried out in response to Saudi reconnaissance and surveillance drones violating Yemeni airspace over Sa’adah and Hajjah provinces. Brigadier General Yahya Saree, spokesman for the Yemeni Armed Forces, said the drone successfully and accurately struck the facility, describing the operation as retaliation for what he called provocative Saudi actions in northern Yemen.

Saudi energy authorities meanwhile reported fires at energy facilities in the southwestern Jizan region. The Saudi Ministry of Energy said a fire that broke out at dawn at a Saudi Aramco facility was extinguished by industrial security firefighting teams, while a separate statement said a fire at the 400,000-barrel-per-day Jizan refinery had also been brought under control. No casualties were reported. Explosions were also reportedly heard in Jizan and the Eastern Province.

Saudi Aramco’s Jizan facilities have previously been targeted in attacks claimed by Yemen’s Armed Forces. The company shut the facility on July 27 after an earlier Yemeni attack reportedly damaged its Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle complex and tank farm. Yemen’s Armed Forces also claimed responsibility at the time for attacks targeting Saudi Aramco facilities in Jizan and Yanbu.