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Houthi Drone Strike Hits Saudi Aramco Jazan Refinery

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Energy markets faced renewed supply disruption risks on Sunday after Houthi forces targeted the Saudi Arabia's Jazan refinery with a drone, just days after the kingdom signed a landmark trilateral defense pact with Turkey and Pakistan.

The Saudi energy ministry confirmed on X that a fire broke out at the facility, which processes 400,000 barrels of crude oil per day in southwestern Saudi Arabia, but noted it was quickly extinguished with no injuries reported.

Confirming the operation via an X post, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree stated that the group successfully targeted the refinery with a precise drone strike, framing the action as a response to alleged Saudi drone incursions over Yemen's Saada and Hajjah provinces.

In a separate statement, Saree noted that the group also carried out missile and drone strikes near the strategic Bab el-Mandeb strait around the Red Sea port city of Mocha.

Energy analysts warn that continued hostilities threatening key Red Sea corridors and processing hubs could severely impact regional petroleum flows and alternative transport routes.

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