Yemen’s Houthis claim drone attack on Aramco refinery in Saudi Arabia
AFP , Tuesday 18 Aug 2026
Yemen's Houthis targeted an Aramco oil refinery in Jizan, southwestern Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday, rebel media reported, as the Iran-aligned group ramps up attacks on the kingdom after announcing a maritime blockade.
File Photo: A general view shows the Saudi Aramco oil facility in Dammam city, 450 kms east of the Saudi capital Riyadh. AFP
The Houthis “targeted the Aramco refinery in Jazan with a number of drones ... in response to airspace violations over the governorates of Saada and Hajjah” in Yemen, Houthi news agency Saba said Tuesday, citing a military source.
The group has claimed attacks on Saudi-linked tankers and oil facilities, including the Yanbu port and Jazan refinery, as well as Saudi-backed government forces inside Yemen, in retaliation for what it describes as a Saudi “siege” of areas under its control.
Last month, the Houthis welcomed an Iranian plane to Yemen, but Saudi-backed forces struck the runway at Sanaa airport to prevent it from landing, prompting the group to launch missiles and drones at Saudi Arabia.
The Houthis later announced a maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia, which has backed Yemen's internationally recognized government and led a coalition that heavily bombed Houthi-held areas during the war.
*This story was edited by Ahram Online.
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