The Houthi rebels in Yemen have claimed responsibility for airstrikes on Saudi Arabia.
(Photo: dpa)
Dubai The Houthi rebels in Yemen hit two oil tanks in the port city of Jeddah two days before the Formula 1 race planned there in an air raid on Saudi Arabia. One of the oil depots is located very close to the circuit. From there, thick smoke could be seen in the sky on Friday.
The coalition led by Saudi Arabia in Yemen’s civil war announced on Friday that the fires were under control and that no one was injured. The military coalition also said it had intercepted at least nine drones loaded with explosive devices. Saudi state television also confirmed a “hostile operation” by Houthi rebels near Jeddah.
Houthi military spokesman Jahja Sarea said rockets had been fired at facilities of Saudi Arabian oil giant Aramco in Jeddah and drones were directed at refineries in Ras Tanura and Rabig. In addition, important targets in the capital Riyadh were targeted.
The stock exchanges reacted to the reports with an increase in oil prices. The oil giant Aramco, which is also the main sponsor of the racing series, maintains several industrial plants in the port city. Aramco is the world’s largest oil producer.
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The Houthis have recently intensified their attacks on oil production facilities in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia said it would not accept responsibility for any shortages in global oil supplies resulting from the attacks. The US condemned the “unacceptable” attack.
The Houthis had previously announced an extensive operation deep in Saudi Arabia via their news channel Al-Masirah. Details should be announced at a later date.
Formula 1 sticks to the planned race
Despite a rocket impact near the Jeddah race track, Formula 1 wants to hold the race in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi authorities had assured that the Grand Prix could take place as planned, the racing series announced on Friday evening. “We will remain in close contact with the authorities and all teams and are closely monitoring the situation,” it said in a statement.
Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali confirmed in a meeting with all drivers and team bosses called at short notice that the Grand Prix could be held. “He assured us that the authorities were investigating the incident and that there were no further safety concerns,” McLaren team boss Andreas Seidl told Sky TV. You have to trust this information.
However, Seidl admitted that it was “a very worrying situation for all of us”. If safety can be guaranteed for the remainder of the Grand Prix weekend, “we should drive,” Red Bull Motorsport Director Helmut Marko told Sky TV.
Shortly before the impact in the fuel depot, the racing series held its first training session before the Grand Prix on the Red Sea scheduled for Sunday (7 p.m. CET). The second session on the Red Sea course was also completed 15 minutes late despite the incident, after a meeting with all drivers and
Shortly after the first practice session for the Grand Prix, there was an explosion in the fuel depot near the race track.
(Photo: IMAGO/Motorsport Images)
Just last Sunday, Houthi rebels launched attacks against Saudi Arabia using a missile and drones. An Aramco plant in Jeddah was also hit, and fire broke out at an oil tank. There were no reports of casualties. The scenes on Friday were reminiscent of these events.
The organizers last said on Wednesday that despite the attacks from neighboring Yemen, they were sticking to the upcoming Formula 1 race in Jeddah. “As always, the safety of our guests has top priority,” said a spokesman. “We are in constant contact with the relevant authorities and all measures have been taken to ensure the safety of all visitors to Formula 1 (…).”
Saudi Arabia is fighting the Houthi rebels in Yemen. These also repeatedly attack targets in Saudi Arabia from the neighboring country. In the previous incident on Sunday, according to a report by state television, an “enemy missile” was intercepted by the air defense system over Jeddah.
In Saudi Arabia, strict regulations usually apply to sporting events
Saudi Arabia is considered to be quite safe compared to other countries in the region, but there have also been several terrorist attacks there. At the end of 2020, the Islamic State terrorist militia claimed responsibility for an attack on a ceremony in Jeddah, in which two people were injured. Strict safety regulations usually apply to major events such as sporting events in the country.
In January, a French driver was seriously injured by an explosion in his team’s vehicle at the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia. France’s judiciary initiated preliminary investigations into the case on suspicion of attempted killing in connection with terrorism. Local authorities have ruled out a criminal background.
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