RIYADH 8 March 2021: Saudi Ministry of Energy said one of the petroleum tank farms at Ras Tanura Port in the Eastern Region, one of the largest oil shipping ports in the world, was attacked yesterday morning by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), coming in from the sea, according to the Saudi Press Agency and Wam.
The spokesman added that another deliberate attempt was also made last evening to attack Saudi Aramco’s facilities. Shrapnel from a ballistic missile fell near Saudi Aramco’s residential area in the city of Dhahran, where thousands of the company’s employees and their families from different nationalities live.
The spokesman said that both attacks did not result in any injury or loss of life or property. In his statement, the spokesman stressed that the kingdom condemns and criminalizes such repeated acts of sabotage and hostility. The kingdom calls on nations and organizations of the world to stand together against these attacks, which are aimed at civilian objects and vital installations.
Such acts of sabotage do not only target the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, but also the security and stability of energy supplies to the world, and therefore, the global economy. They affect the security of petroleum exports, freedom of world trade, and maritime traffic.
They also expose coasts and territorial waters to grave environmental catastrophes due to potential leakage of petroleum or petroleum products.
The official spokesman for the Saudi Ministry of Defense Brigadier General Turki Al-Malki, said, “In reference to the statement issued by the Ministry of Energy in regards to the failed attempted targeting of one of the Petroleum Tank Farms in Ras Tanura Port in the Eastern Province using a bomb-laden UAV that came from the sea, and the attempt to target Aramco facilities in Dhahran – those failed attempts did not target the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s security and economic assets, but the core of global economy and its oil supplies, as well as the security of global energy.
The bomb-laden UAV that came via the sea was intercepted and destroyed prior to reaching its target. The ballistic missile that was launched to target Aramco facilities in Dhahran was intercepted and destroyed as well. The interception resulted in scattered debris that fell in close proximity to civilians and civilian objects.
The Ministry of Defense will undertake all necessary, deterrent measures to safeguard its national assets in a manner that preserves the security of global energy, puts an end to these acts of terrorism, guarantees the security and stability of oil supplies, protects security of petroleum exports and safeguards freedom of shipping and international trade.
UAE condemns attacks on Saudi Arabia
The UAE has strongly denounced the Iranian-backed terrorist Houthi militias for attempting to target civilians and civilian structures in Saudi Arabia with explosive drones before they were intercepted by the Coalition Forces.
In a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) on Sunday, the UAE affirmed that these systematic terrorist attacks by the Houthi group reflect its blatant disregard for the international community and all international laws and norms.
The ministry also urged the international community to take an immediate and decisive stance to stop these repeated acts, which threaten security and stability in the Kingdom, stressing that the continued threat of these attacks in recent days is a grave escalation that represents new evidence of these militias’ attempts to undermine security and stability in the region.
MoFAIC reaffirmed its full solidarity with the kingdom over these terrorist attacks and reiterated its stance against all threats to the kingdom’s security, stability, and the safety of its citizens and residents.
The statement emphasised that “the security of the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are indivisible, and that any threat facing the Kingdom is considered by the Emirates a threat to its security and stability.”
Coalition destroys 10 Houthi drones: Saudi TV
The Saudi-led coalition engaged in Yemen said on Sunday that it destroyed 10 armed drones launched by the Iran-aligned Houthi movement, including at least five fired towards Saudi Arabia, state television channels reported.
The coalition did not specify locations in the kingdom but said the drones were aimed at “civilian sites”. On Saturday, the coalition said it intercepted seven drones over 24 hours launched towards Khamis Mushait and one towards Jazan, both in southern Saudi Arabia.
The Houthis, who have been battling the coalition since it intervened in Yemen’s civil war in March 2015, recently stepped up cross-border missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia.
