Saudi Aramco refinery erupts in flames in Jizan as Houthis claim drone attack

A fire broke out early Sunday at an Aramco oil refinery in Jizan, a Saudi coastal city near Yemen's border. The blaze was extinguished with no casualties reported, but Saudi Arabia's energy ministry offered no explanation for what started the fire. The Houthis claimed responsibility, saying their military struck the facility with a drone in retaliation for Saudi drone flights over Yemen's Saada and Hajjah provinces. Per Middle East Eye, the group also claimed attacks on Saudi troops in the Red Sea port city of Mokha. The refinery has been repeatedly targeted by the Houthis as their conflict with Yemen's Saudi-backed government intensifies. The incidents come as Saudi Arabia just signed a trilateral defense pact with Turkey and Pakistan, establishing mutual defense obligations for all three countries.

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