Saudi Arabia has declared it will not tolerate attacks on its security, interests, or national assets, vowing a firm response in accordance with international humanitarian law following recent Houthi escalations targeting oil facilities and commercial vessels.
The Saudi Council of Ministers, chaired by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, strongly condemned the attacks carried out by Iranian-affiliated terrorist militias in Yemen and Iraq. These attacks targeted oil facilities in the Riyadh and Eastern Province regions, as well as commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
The Council affirmed the Kingdom's commitment to protecting its national security and strategic interests, reiterating that any hostile acts against its territory or vital infrastructure will be met with a decisive response, consistent with international humanitarian law and customary rules.
This firm stance comes amid a recent surge in Houthi aggression, with the group announcing on Tuesday its fourth recent attack on a Saudi oil tanker in the Red Sea. These continued assaults aim to disrupt maritime navigation and Saudi energy infrastructure.
In a significant development reflecting the repercussions of these attacks, a note from the consulting firm IIR, obtained by Reuters, revealed that Saudi Aramco temporarily halted operations at its Jazan refinery on July 27. The refinery, with a capacity of approximately 400,000 barrels per day, was impacted by a Houthi attack on the previous Saturday. The attack reportedly caused damage to the integrated gasification cycle complex and the oil storage area within the refinery. Aramco anticipates completing repair work and resuming initial operations by August 15.
The closure of the Jazan refinery occurs at a time of heightened pressure on global energy markets, exacerbated by Middle East instability, fuel supply shortages, and broader international market constraints. This situation amplifies concerns regarding the potential impact of the Houthi attacks on oil market stability and international supply chains.
Observers note that the continued Houthi attacks on oil facilities and commercial vessels represent a dangerous escalation threatening international navigation and energy supplies. These actions further complicate the security landscape in the Red Sea and the wider region, underscoring repeated international warnings about the consequences of targeting critical infrastructure.
