Bahrain strongly condemns Houthis’ firing of Iranian made cruise missiles at Saudi Arabia

Agencies | Riyadh

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain yesterday condemned and denounced in strongest terms the terrorist Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabian energy and water desalination facilities, causing a temporary drop in output at a refinery but no casualties.

Saudi state news agency posted images and videos of projectile debris, damaged cars and structures, and fire fighters dousing flames. Reports also said the Arab Coalition destroyed an explosive-laden boat in Hodeidah, thwarting an imminent attack.

Houthis have fired a ballistic missile towards Jazan and nine drones towards the southern region of Saudi Arabia. The attacks, Bahrain’s foreign ministry said, violates international humanitarian laws.

The ministry said Bahrain stands with Saudi Arabia in all measures it takes to ensure the security and safety of its citizens and residents. Bahrain also praised the efforts of the Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces and the Royal Saudi Air Force in intercepting and destroying the ballistic missile and drones.

The ministry called on the international community to condemn these repeated terrorist attacks aimed at destabilizing security and stability in the region.

Gas plant, refinery under attack
The Saudi energy ministry said the drone strikes hit a petroleum products distribution terminal in the southern Jizan region, a natural gas plant and the Yasref refinery in the Red Sea port of Yanbu.

“The assault on Yasref facilities has led to a temporary reduction in the refinery’s production, which will be compensated for from the inventory,” it said, referring to Yanbu Aramco Sinopec Refining Company, a joint venture between Saudi Aramco and China Petrochemical Corporation (Sinopec).

Aramco CEO Amin Nasser told a call about the firm’s earnings there was no impact from the attacks on its supply to customers. The Saudi led-coalition battling the Houthis earlier said the assaults on Saturday night and Sunday morning had also been aimed at a water desalination plant in Al-Shaqeeq, a power station in Dhahran al Janub and a gas facility in Khamis Mushait.

It said the attacks and debris from intercepted projectiles caused material damage but no loss of life. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said the group fired ballistic and winged missiles as well as drones at Aramco facilities in the capital Riyadh, Yanbu and “other areas,” followed by attacks on “vital targets” in other Saudi regions.

The coalition said initial investigations showed the group used Iranian-made cruise missiles on the desalination plant and Aramco’s Jizan distribution centre. It said Saudi air defences intercepted a ballistic missile and nine drones.

United Nations special envoy Hans Grundberg is discussing a possible truce during the holy month of Ramadan which starts in April, his office said on Sunday. It was unclear if both sides had agreed on the UN plans. The Houthis ousted Yemen’s government from the capital, Sanaa, in late 2014, prompting the alliance to intervene.