Drones Target Ras Tanura Refinery… Partial Shutdown Revives Memories of the 2019 Aramco Attack
Reuters: One of the largest refining facilities temporarily halts operations… Saudi Defense denies damage amid thick smoke rising
NYN | Reports and Analyses
Reuters reported that Saudi Aramco suspended operations at one of its largest refineries in the Ras Tanura area following a drone attack on the site, in an incident that brought back memories of the large-scale assault that targeted the company’s facilities in 2019.
According to the report, the shutdown decision was taken as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of personnel and facilities. The company has not issued a detailed statement regarding the extent of the damage or the expected duration of the suspension.
Official Account Denies Damage
For its part, the Saudi Ministry of Defense denied that the refinery sustained any significant damage as a result of the attack, affirming that the situation is under control.
However, videos circulating on social media and news websites showed thick smoke rising from the vicinity of the facility, along with footage of several workers fleeing the area, raising questions about the nature of the strike and its actual repercussions.
Tehran Denies Targeting Oil Facilities
In a related development, the Tasnim News Agency quoted an Iranian military source as confirming that “the oil facilities of countries in the region have not been and will not be among the targets of Iranian attacks.”
The source added that “all American and Israeli interests anywhere in the region are considered legitimate targets for Iran and will be dealt with accordingly,” signaling continued regional escalation.
Echoes of the 2019 Attack
The latest attack has revived memories of the major strike on Saudi Aramco facilities in 2019, when sites in Ras Tanura and Abqaiq were targeted by a series of missiles and drones in an operation claimed at the time by the Houthis in Yemen.
That attack caused significant disruption to Saudi oil production and led to the rescheduling of several medium-term contracts for nearly six months, in addition to its wide-ranging impact on global energy markets.
