Iranian-backed Houthi rebels from Yemen have claimed an attack on a Saudi Aramco oil depot in Jeddah. According to the Associated Press, a news channel that’s run by the rebels revealed they had attacked the North Jeddah Bulk Plant in Jeddah as well as other targets throughout Saudi Arabia. The AP revealed that “Saudi authorities acknowledged a ‘hostile operation’ by the Houthis targeting the depot, without describing the weapon used in the attack.”
#Breaking | A few minutes ago, the Houthis attacked Jeddah and hit Aramco’s petroleum facilities in Jeddah, west Saudi Arabia, a loud explosion was heard and a fire broke out. pic.twitter.com/IW0nivmxVt
— WorldNews IL (@WorldNewsIL) March 25, 2022
This comes as Formula 1 is in Jeddah for the second race of the 2022 season. During the first practice session, smoke was seen billowing over the city and could be seen from the track that’s about seven miles away. Max Verstappen revealed in a radio message to his team that he smelled burning but couldn’t tell if it was his car or someone else’s. And one could see smoke from Carlos Sainz’s onboard camera toward the end of practice.
During the break between practice sessions, the drivers met with officials which included FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, and circuit promoter Martin Whitaker. The result was a 15 minute delay to the second practice session but fire could still be seen from the track as the sun set.
Bon en route pour ma cabine commentaires pour la P2..mais pas totalement rassuré quand on regarde un peu plus loin du circuit…#rtbfsport @f1 #SaudiArabianGP pic.twitter.com/9BZ6X8oIZp
— VIGNERON GAETAN (@VIGNERONGAETAN) March 25, 2022
Nearly two weeks ago, Saudi Arabia executed 81 people in an act that was denounced by the United Nations. Such claims that resulted in the UN taking that position included some being sentenced in “trials that did not meet fair trial and due process guarantees” as well as a “broad definition” of what constitutes terrorism within Saudi Arabia, noting that non-violent acts were included which “risks criminalizing people exercising their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.”
[Associated Press/Photo: Getty Images]
