Saudi Arabia: Yemen’s Houthi Group Launches Attack On Jeddah Oil Depot Near F1 Race Venue

Saudi state TV said that there was a “hostile operation” targeting the Jeddah oil depot that erupted in flames ahead of the Formula1 race, reports news agency AP. 

Screengrab: Twitter/@Charles_Lister

New Delhi: An oil depot in Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah was attacked by the Houthi rebel group of Yemen on Friday ahead of the F1 race in the city, reports news agency AFP. State-backed oil company Aramco has several facilities in the port city of Jeddah. 

The fire seems to be centred on the same North Jeddah Bulk Plant, reports the Associated Press.

#BREAKING Yemen rebels say they attacked Saudi Aramco facility in Jeddah: statement pic.twitter.com/BoFQOxIfWh

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) March 25, 2022

Saudi state TV said that there was a “hostile operation” targeting the Jeddah oil depot that erupted in flames ahead of the Formula1 race, reports news agency AP. 

While the footage of the incident was being shared online, the Saudi government or the Saudi Arabia’s state oil company Aramco did not acknowledge it immediately. 

The attack comes several days after a similar attack on the Jeddah oil depot. 

Videos of huge black fumes emitting from the spot were shared by users on social media platforms. 

NEW - #Houthi strike just hit an #Aramco facility in #Jeddah, on the eve of the #SaudiArabia Grand Prix.pic.twitter.com/nRKYAvk2y7

— Charles Lister (@Charles_Lister) March 25, 2022

The North Jeddah Bulk Plant stores diesel, gasoline and jet fuel for consumption in the kingdom's second-largest city. 

Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 

While plumes of black smoke was rising upwards, F1 stars like Lewis Hamilton Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc had descended on the tarmac for their first practice session of the Saudi Arabian grand prix, just 12 miles from the oil depot, reported Daily Mail.  

The fumes of the explosion could be seen  from Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz's dashcam while he was completing a lap, stated the above mentioned Daily Mail report. 

The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is scheduled to be held on March 27.