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The Saudi Ministry of Defense announced on July 28 that its air defenses had intercepted and destroyed several drones, foiling an attempt to strike oil facilities in the Eastern Province.
Maj. Gen. Turki al-Malki, a spokesman for the ministry, said in a statement carried by the state-run SPA news agency that the “terrorist attempts” had once again originated from Iraqi territory and were carried out by “terrorist militias affiliated with Iran.”
He added that Saudi Arabia holds “the inherent right to defend itself and its resources,” and stated that the kingdom “retains the right to respond at the appropriate time and place.”
Blasts were heard across the Eastern Province earlier in the day, although it is still unclear if any oil facility was indeed struck.
The attack came a day after drones struck Abqaiq, one of Saudi Arabia’s largest oil-processing plants. The facility is located in the Eastern Province.
Saudi Arabia blamed Iran-backed armed factions in Iraq for the previous attack. However, the Houthis in Yemen claimed responsibility. From its side, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq (IRI), an umbrella group for the factions there, denied involvement and warned the kingdom against retaliation.
The escalation against Saudi Arabia began on July 20 with the Houthis announcing that they were imposing a maritime blockade on the kingdom in response to its siege on Yemen. Three days later, the group fired on two Saudi oil tankers, setting one ablaze. And overnight into July 25, the two sides exchanged strikes, with the Houthis hitting a large refinery in the southern Saudi province of Jizan.
Just before the latest attack on the Eastern Province was announced, the Houthis announced an additional attack on another tanker off the kingdom’s Red Sea coast.
Any Saudi retaliation could further complicate the situation for the kingdom. More oil facilities will certainly get hit, especially if the IRI gets involved. Diplomacy seems to be the only way out.
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stupid saudi monarchy has all its wealth in globalist banks. so easy for the banking cabal to sanction and steal . they will follow orders and kowtow to their master. but have current ability to sell its energy on any market. will the population ever notice ?