Saudi Arabia says drones shot down near major oil refinery
Saudi officials on Monday said a facility operated by oil giant Aramco has been attacked by suspected Iranian drones.
A spokesman for the defence ministry said two drones attacked the Ras Tanura oil refinery in eastern Saudi Arabia, adding that both were intercepted and destroyed.
“Falling debris sparked a fire at the site, but there were no casualties,” he said. Some debris also landed in residential areas.
The Saudi-funded broadcaster Al Arabiya, citing the Energy Ministry, reported that parts of the facility were temporarily shut down.
Shortly afterwards, however, the channel reported that oil production and operations at Ras Tanura were continuing as normal.
Videos online showed thick plumes of smoke rising above the facility. The Ras Tanura refinery, with a daily capacity of 550,000 barrels, is among the largest in the country.
Aramco did not immediately comment.
Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s largest oil producers, and the state-owned Aramco is central to government revenues despite efforts to diversify the economy.
(Xinhua/NAN)
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