Saudi Arabia: Houthi rebels claim drone attacks on oil fields in Eastern Province September 14 /update 2

Event

Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for drone attacks that caused fires at major oil facilities in Buqayq (Eastern Province) and at the Khurais oil field in the morning (local time) on Saturday, September 14. Ten drones were reportedly deployed in what Houthi rebels claim was one of the largest operations carried out by the group inside Saudi Arabia. According to officials, the fires at both facilities are under control as of Saturday afternoon and no casualties have been reported. Similar attacks are possible in Saudi Arabia over the coming weeks.

Context

Houthi rebels have claimed several missile attacks targeting Saudi facilities and infrastructure since late May 2019. The group has targeted airports in Abha, Jizan, and Najran. A Houthi-claimed missile attack wounded 26 people at the arrivals hall at Abha International Airport (AHB) on June 12. Material damage was also reported.

Reports estimate that Houthi militants have fired over 200 missiles at Saudi Arabia since 2015, when Saudi Arabia began backing the Yemeni government against Houthi separatists in the Yemeni Civil War. Southern Saudi Arabia is a frequent target of Houthi missile attacks, and Riyadh has also seen several missile attacks in the last several months; however, they rarely result in substantial damage or casualties.

Advice

Individuals in region are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid the area of the incidents, and obey all instructions issued by the local authorities and their home governments.