Riyadh. The complex of the world’s largest oil company Aramco, located in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, has recently been the target of a planned attack. According to official information received from the Saudi Energy Ministry, due to this attack, a limited amount of fire broke out in an administrative building inside the complex, however, it is a matter of relief that there has been no news of any loss of life or property or injury to any person in this incident. This attack has come at a sensitive time when geopolitical tensions in West Asia are at their peak and the conflict between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi rebels is increasing.
Saudi coalition military action in Yemen’s capital Sanaa
The Saudi Arabia-led military coalition retaliated with several intense airstrikes on Yemen’s capital Sanaa on Tuesday. Let it be known that Sana’a city is completely under the control of Houthi rebels. Houthi-controlled broadcaster Al-Masirah and local civilians confirmed the attacks. Just before carrying out these air strikes, a strict warning was issued by the coalition to the local people to move to safe places for safety reasons. According to local residents, powerful explosions continued to be heard in the city several hours after the attacks. Earlier, the coalition had also targeted the Subha fuel center located in the western part of Sanaa.
Serious allegations regarding oil storage centers and military equipment
Major General Turki al-Maliki, the official spokesman for the Saudi coalition, has strongly accused the Houthi rebels of misusing Yemen Oil Company facilities and its underground fuel depots to hide their vast weapons stockpile of missiles and unmanned drones. This strategic center is built on a hill above the capital Sanaa. Sensing this danger, the coalition had instructed citizens to immediately completely vacate the Yemen Oil Company premises and its surrounding storage areas.
Main aspects of current developments
Despite the attack on the oil storage there was no adverse impact on supplies, while Yemen Oil Company claimed the storage facility was empty.
Long queues of vehicles are being seen at various petrol pumps in Sana’a city, due to which the fear of severe fuel shortage among the general public has deepened.
Houthi rebels have given an open warning to Saudi Arabia that if the attacks on Sanaa continue, Riyadh will have to face a very painful response.
A high alert was issued for the missile attack in the Saudi capital Riyadh and the major oil-producing Eastern Province, although officials later clarified that the threat had been completely averted.
Making a big claim, the Saudi coalition has intercepted and killed missiles and drones fired by the Houthis in many areas in the air.
In view of the threat of possible attacks, many flights from Riyadh airport were diverted to other safe airports.
Defense experts are keeping an eye on this strategic move of Saudi Arabia, under which efforts are being made to increase diplomatic and military pressure on Houthi positions by carrying out swift attacks on them.
Will the situation worsen further in West Asia?
At present it is not clear whether this military action taken in Yemen on Tuesday is a sign of expanding the scope of war in the region or a limited response in the wake of the recent attacks on Riyadh airport. However, the attack on the Aramco complex, repeated airstrikes in Sanaa and missile threats looming towards Riyadh have further stoked tensions across the region. How the geopolitical situation will turn out in the coming days will depend on what further steps both sides take.
