Drone attacks on 2 Saudi Aramco factories spark fire, tension

Drone attacks on two Saudi Aramco factories in Abqaiq and Khurais provinces sparked fires at the state oil company early morning on Saturday. The fires have been brought under control, the Saudi interior ministry spokesman said, without identifying the source of the drones. It said an investigation into the attack was underway.

It is yet to be clear if there are any injuries or casualties in the attacks. Abqaiq is situated 60 km southwest of Dhahran in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province and contains the world’s largest oil processing plant. Khurais, 190 km further southwest, houses the country’s second largest oilfield. 

No one has immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks in Buqyaq and the Khurais oil field. However, suspicions are on Yemen's Houthi rebels, who have previously launched drone assaults deep inside of the kingdom. Iran-aligned Houthi fighters in Yemen have previously launched attacks over the border, hitting Shaybah oilfield with drones last month and two oil pumping stations in May. 

Security forces foiled an al Qaeda attack on Abqaiq in 2006. The impact of the attacks on oil production in the kingdom is also yet to be estimated. The incident is likely to escalate tensions further across the wider Persian Gulf amid a confrontation between the US and Iran over its unraveling nuclear deal with world powers.

The drone attacks come in the backdrop of attacks on oil tankers in June and July in Gulf waters that Riyadh and Washington blamed on Iran. However, Tehran had denied the accusations. 

Online videos apparently shot in Buqyaq included the sound of gunfire in the background and flames shooting out of the Abqaiq oil processing facility, reported AP. Smoke rose over the skyline and glowing flames could be seen a distance away.

The attack comes as Aramco is gearing up for an initial public offering.