Saudi Arabia: Officials confirm Houthi missile strike on Jeddah oil facility November 23 /update 1

Event

Saudi officials confirmed that an explosion at an oil facility in Jeddah on Monday, November 23, had been caused by a Yemeni Houthi ballistic missile strike. The strike caused a fire at a fuel storage site to the north of the city, which has since been extinguished. No casualties were reported in the attack.

Further Houthi rocket, missile, or drone attacks are likely in Saudi Arabia over the near to medium term.

Context

Yemen-based Houthi rebels have launched hundreds of rockets, missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) into Saudi Arabia since 2015, when Saudi-led coalition forces intervened in the country's civil war in support of the Yemeni government. Towns and cities in the southwestern border provinces of Jizan, Asir, and Najran have frequently been targeted in such attacks, but longer-range ballistic missiles have also been launched towards Riyadh, Jeddah, and other major cities in the country. Many of these missiles, rockets, and UAVs have been intercepted by Saudi air defenses, but hundreds of civilians have been killed and injured in such attacks since the beginning of the conflict.

Advice

Those in Saudi Arabia are advised to monitor developments and heed any directives issued by local authorities. Travelers should familiarise themselves with missile attack procedures in their particular area of operations and the location of the nearest air raid shelters. In the event of a missile attack, those in the affected area are advised to seek shelter and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities