World condemns Houthis as US says Iran ‘clearly enabled’ Jeddah oil attack

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Updated 27 March 2022
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World condemns Houthis as US says Iran ‘clearly enabled’ Jeddah oil attack

  • Calls for action against Houthi attacks on civilian targets
  • US pledges to work with Saudi Arabia to shore up defenses

RIYADH: Yemen’s Houthi militia were roundly condemned for an attack on a Saudi oil facility in Jeddah on Friday with the US implicating Iran for enabling the attack by supplying weapons to the group against international law.

“Unprovoked Houthi attacks against Saudi Aramco’s oil storage facilities in Jeddah as well as attacks against civil facilities in Jizan, Najran, and Dhahran are acts of terrorism aimed to prolong the suffering of the Yemeni people,” said Jake Sullivan, the US national security advisor.

He accused Iran of facilitating the group’s actions by supplying weapons, which are against UN rules.

“Today’s attacks, just like the attacks against water treatment plants and energy infrastructure on March 19 and 20, were clearly enabled by Iran in violation of UN Security Council resolutions prohibiting the import of weapons into Yemen,” he said in a statement on Friday.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US will work with the Kingdom to strengthen defenses “while also seeking to advance a durable end to the conflict, improve lives, and create the space for Yemenis to determine their own future collectively.”

“At a time when the parties should be focused on de-escalation and bringing needed life-saving relief to the Yemeni people ahead of the holy month of Ramadan, the Houthis continue their destructive behavior and reckless terrorist attacks striking civilian infrastructure.”

UN chief Antonio Guterres on Saturday called for “restraint” on all sides and to “urgently reach a negotiated settlement to end the conflict.”.

“The Secretary-General strongly condemns the recent escalation of the conflict in Yemen,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement Saturday.

The Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen said the fire in two tanks at the North Jeddah oil facility had been brought under control, and there were no casualties.

The Kingdom’s s civil defense said it has extinguished fires at two fuel storage tanks in Jeddah that were hit in the attack, state television reported on Saturday.

On Saturday morning, the coalition knocked down two drones over Yemeni territory that were on their way to the Kingdom. It said the launch location was an oil installation in Hodeidah, a city on the Red Sea coast. It also said that it carried out a strike in Sanaa.

Plumes of black smoke could be seen across Jeddah on Friday after the Houthi attack, a reminder of the Iran-backed group’s intent to destabilize international energy security. The militia, which seized the capital Sanaa in 2014 and continues to hold large parts of Yemen, has conducted regular attacks against civilian infrastructure in the Kingdom.

The Saudi-led coalition, which has been supporting the internationally recognized Yemeni government against the Houthis, has intercepted numerous drones and missiles in the past.

An attack in Jeddah on March 19 caused a fire at an Aramco distribution center. A day later, the coalition destroyed an explosive-laden boat near Hodeidah, thwarting an imminent attack on shipping in the vital international maritime route.




The attack on the Saudi Aramco oil facility has been widely condemned. (AFP)

Previous attacks have also targeted airports in the Kingdom, causing harm to civilians.

In February, 12 civilians were injured by a drone attack targeting Abha airport. In October, ten people where injured at King Abdulaziz Airport in the southern city of Jazan, with another 16 injured by falling shrapnel following an attack at the same airport last month.

The Houthi militia has increased attacks against Saudi energy installations in recent weeks as Iran seeks to revive a nuclear deal that would allow it to begin selling oil again amid increased international energy demand following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Saudi energy ministry reiterated that it cannot bear responsibility for any shortage of oil supplies to global markets, in light of continuing attacks against its facilities. The ministry said the international community needs to realize the role of Iran in supporting the Houthis to target oil and gas production sites.




The smoke from the attack could be seen from the track. “I smell burning - is it my car?” said F1 world champion Max Verstappen on his team radio. (Reuters)

In a letter to the UN Security Council on Friday, Saudi Arabia said it reserves the right to defend itself against Houthi aggression.

 

 


Princess Reema bint Bandar, Saudi ambassador to the US, tweeted: “The Iran backed terrorist Houthis continue to attack our civilians, infrastructure & energy facilities with Iranian made missiles & UAV’s with impunity. The international community must act against this aggression that targets innocent civilians and global energy supplies.”

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi condemned the attack on the Aramco facility during a call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. El-Sisi said Egypt stands in solidarity with the Kingdom to confront hostilities.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who visited the Kingdom last week, tweeted: “I fully condemn the latest Houthi attack against critical sites in Saudi Arabia, including in Jeddah. These strikes put civilian lives at risk and must stop.” His foreign secretary, Liz Truss, called the “abhorrent” attack a continuation of recent terror acts by the Houthis and urged an “immediate halt to the violence.”

 

 

The European Union said attacks against cities and civilian infrastructure are unacceptable and must stop, and the latest hostilities increase the risk of further escalation of the Yemen conflict and undermines ongoing efforts to end the war.
“The EU reiterates its call on all sides to participate in the Yemeni-Yemeni talks, starting on Tuesday, 29 March, in Riyadh under the auspices of the Gulf Cooperation Council. The EU recalls its full support to the efforts of UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg,” said Peter Stabo, spokesman for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

 


The UAE, which has also faced attacks by the Houthi militia in the past, condemn Friday’s attack and called on the international community to stand against the repeated acts of aggression, calling for the coalition’s work against the group to be supported.

France, who condemned the group’s attack in the “strongest terms,” said the acts, which threaten the security of Saudi Arabia and the stability of the region, must stop, urging the Houthis to constructively engage with the Yemeni peace initiative under the UN.

 




The Saudi energy ministry reiterated that it cannot bear responsibility for any shortage of oil supplies to global markets. (AFP)

Bahrain said it backed all measures Saudi Arabia “deems necessary to maintain its security and stability against these deliberate and systematic attacks that are inconsistent with international humanitarian law.”

Meanwhile, Kuwait condemned the attack, which it referred to as a 'cowardly terrorist attack' that not only affects Saudi Arabia's security and regional stability, but the global energy supply. 

Morocco’s King Mohammed VI sent a message of solidarity to King Salman, strongly condemning the attacks and reiterated his country’s full solidarity with the Kingdom.
Canada also condemned the attacks and called on the Houthis to negotiate, reject violence and cease all attacks.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett expressed his country's "sorrow" to Saudi Arabia following a wave of Yemen rebel attacks, in a rare public message to the country, with which it lacks formal ties.

"The State of Israel expresses its sorrow to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia after the horrific attack by the Iranian-backed Huthis," Bennett wrote on Twitter.


Sudan said the Houthi attack represented a dangerous escalation in the region and said it supports the Kingdom against anything that endangers its security.
Palestine, Algeria, Pakistan, Poland, and Mauritania also released similar statements condemning the attacks.
Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit said the attack poses a grave threat to security in the region and global energy supplies. He urged the international community to take a tougher stand against the Houthi terror and as well as their ongoing violation of humanitarian laws.

 

Muhammad bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa, head of the Muslim World League, said the organization stood in solidarity with the Kingdom to protect civilians on its land.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and subsequent sanctions imposed on Moscow have caused crude prices to soar. The war in Ukraine, which entered its second month this week, has seen the Kremlin see reduced interest for its gas and oil as customers sought to avoid falling foul of international sanctions against Russia.

The main backer of the Houthis, Iran, is aiming to resurrect a nuclear deal with world powers that was scrapped by former US President Donald Trump.

US President Joe Biden has pledged to renew the deal, displeasing allies in the region who believe it rewards Iran, who supports the Houthis with weapons, for its destabilizing activities across the Middle East.

In Feb. 2021, Washington reversed Trump’s designation of the Houthi militia as a terrorist organization, but last month the UN Security Council stamped the group as terrorist.

Concern has also been growing among America’s regional allies that the US may remove Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps from its blacklist of terrorist organizations as part of the nuclear deal.

The Revolutionary Guard control a business empire in Iran, as well as military and intelligence forces responsible for terrorist attacks throughout the world.

“The attempt to delist the IRGC as a terrorist organization is an insult to their victims and would ignore documented reality supported by unequivocal evidence,” said Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid in a statement.




This is the second time Saudi Arabia is hosting the F1 Grand Prix in Jeddah. (AFP)

Talks on the nuclear deal, however, have now paused after Russia wanted an agreement to allow Iran to be exempt from the international sanctions on Moscow. The US said the two issues are unrelated.

A finalized agreement would once again see Iran able to sell its oil freely on international markets, who are hungry for more supply.

The country may have as many as 65 to 80 million oil barrels on stationary tankers, Bloomberg reported, citing data from intelligence solutions provider Kpler.

Saudi Arabia is hosting the F1 Grand Prix this weekend in Jeddah. Race-goers could see a plume of black smoke from the attack in the distance during afternoon practice.

“I smell burning - is it my car?” said world champion Max Verstappen on his team radio, as he appeared one of the first drivers to notice the fumes in the air.




Dark smoke can be seen at the site of the attack on Friday. (AFP)

Despite the drama of the first day, organizers said the race will go ahead as scheduled: “We are aware of the attack on the Aramco distribution station in Jeddah earlier this afternoon and remain in direct contact with the Saudi authorities,” promoter Saudi Motorsport Company said in a statement.

“The race weekend schedule will continue as planned. The safety and security of all our guests continues to be our main priority and we look forward to welcoming fans for a weekend of premium racing and entertainment.”

This is the second time the Kingdom is hosting the event in the Red Sea city.  The race on Dec. 5, 2021, was won by Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton after a dramatic stop-start contest with Dutchman Verstappen, who would later become world champion in the final race of the season, in Abu Dhabi.


Veteran Mutawwif on serving pilgrims: ‘A privilege, not a duty’

Updated 26 sec ago
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Veteran Mutawwif on serving pilgrims: ‘A privilege, not a duty’

MAKKAH: For more than 30 years, Mohammed Sabgha has witnessed the evolution of one of Islam’s most sacred professions — serving as a “Mutawwif,” or official Hajj guide, a hereditary calling that has shaped Makkah families for centuries.

The Tawafa profession is one of the oldest Hajj-related occupations, practiced exclusively by Makkah residents devoted to welcoming, hosting and guiding pilgrims through their sacred journey.

These guides coordinate every aspect of the pilgrimage — from airport reception and accommodation, to healthcare and ritual guidance — according to a Saudi Press Agency report.

Sabgha described it as a sacred inheritance: “This work passes from fathers to sons through generations. Serving Allah’s guests is a privilege, not a duty.”

Throughout his career, Sabgha has witnessed remarkable changes to Hajj, especially the rapid improvements of recent years.

“The pilgrim service system is enhanced every year — from crowd management and group coordination to medical care, ritual facilitation and overall experience,” he said.

The transformation reflects Saudi Arabia’s systematic approach to service excellence. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah works with government agencies, private companies and nonprofit organizations in year-round planning cycles that begin immediately after each Hajj concludes.

“Every service is measured and evaluated. We identify areas for improvement and implement changes — all aimed at better serving pilgrims,” Sabgha said.

“The Kingdom invests enormous resources and spares no expense in fulfilling this sacred mission.”

He highlighted the Nusuk digital platform as particularly revolutionary, calling it “the foundation stone for delivering every service pilgrims need, regardless of type.”

Among countless pilgrim encounters, one story deeply moved Sabgha. “A few years ago, I served a man who had converted to Islam just months before his Hajj. He said his conversion was inspired by a specific Qur’anic verse.”

The pilgrim had been profoundly affected by verse 70 of Surat Al-Isra: “And We have certainly honored the children of Adam and carried them on the land and sea and provided for them of the good things and preferred them over much of what We have created.”

Sabgha said: “He reflected deeply on the verse’s meaning — that Allah, the One God, honored humanity with intellect to distinguish good from evil and benefit from harm, in both worldly and spiritual matters.”


Saudi youth volunteers shine in Hajj

Updated 25 min 37 sec ago
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Saudi youth volunteers shine in Hajj

MAKKAH: Saudi youth from across the Kingdom have made significant contributions to serving pilgrims through volunteer work during this year’s Hajj season.

Their initiatives included providing medical care in collaboration with service providers, managing crowds at the Grand Mosque and holy sites, and directing pilgrims to ensure smooth ritual performance.

Volunteers exemplify generosity and support various sectors serving pilgrims, while also developing their skills and capabilities, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Meanwhile, the Technical and Vocational Training Corp. is participating with 1,068 male and female volunteer trainees this year in Makkah, Madinah, and the holy sites.

Abdullah Al-Duhailan, the corporation’s director general of activities, said the number of volunteers has increased by over 60 percent in four years, from 655 in 2022 to 1,068 this year.

Volunteers join public service camps organized by the Saudi Arabian Scouts Association, in cooperation with government and civil society organizations.

Their roles include guiding lost pilgrims, assisting patients at clinics and hospitals, transporting those in need with hospital vehicles, and supporting tasks alongside the Ministry of Commerce and Makkah municipality.

Volunteers also identify lost pilgrims’ nationalities and service office numbers by scanning barcodes on Nusuk cards and guide them to accommodations via the shortest routes under field scout leaders’ supervision.

Scout teams are also stationed at more than 180 mobile guidance points across Mina, providing rapid support and enhancing service quality to facilitate pilgrims’ smooth Hajj rituals.


Saudi Arabia achieves unprecedented integration, efficiency during 2025 Hajj, says minister

Updated 35 min 10 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia achieves unprecedented integration, efficiency during 2025 Hajj, says minister

MINA: Saudi Arabia has achieved unprecedented levels of integration, efficiency and service excellence during this year’s Hajj, according to the Minister of Hajj and Umrah.

Tawfiq Al-Rabiah was speaking at the annual reception for dignitaries and senior Islamic figures who performed Hajj this year, which was held on Saturday in Mina and attended by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

This year saw the launch of the Hajj Transport Center, which served as the central hub for transportation across Makkah and the holy sites and was one of this year’s notable achievements, said Al-Rabiah.

In terms of infrastructure, he added, the electric power capacity in the holy sites increased by 75 percent, with total investments exceeding SR3 billion ($800 million).

Logistically, the minister said: “More than 7,000 flights from 238 destinations around the world were received. In addition, 4,700 Haramain High-Speed Railway trips and 2,500 shuttle bus journeys were operated, supported by the deployment of over 20,000 buses.”

He added: “In the health sector, hospital bed capacity was expanded by over 60 percent. A new emergency hospital was inaugurated, and 71 rapid response units were deployed, tripling the emergency response capacity compared to previous years.”

Al-Rabiah also emphasized the success of the “No Hajj Without a Permit” campaign, which played a vital role in maintaining order, protecting pilgrims and ensuring the safe management of crowds.

He said the campaign was launched to reinforce discipline, protect legitimate pilgrims and facilitate crowd management in a safe environment, enhancing smooth flow and improving organizational efficiency.

On the volunteer front, the Ministry of Health announced the participation of more than 5,000 health volunteers during this year’s Hajj season, as part of ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of medical services provided to pilgrims.

This initiative aligns with the objectives of the Health Sector Transformation Program and the Guests of God Service Program, launched in 2019 under Saudi Vision 2030, which aim to increase the number of volunteers and enhance their contribution to serving pilgrims.

The ministry said: “The volunteers supported healthcare services across three main areas, preventive, therapeutic and support services, in various locations throughout the holy sites … as well as through active participation in hospitals and health centers.”

Authorities also praised the role of advanced technology and digital platforms that streamlined pilgrims’ movements and access to services, while thousands of security personnel, health workers, and volunteers were deployed to offer support.


Hajj pilgrims embrace second day of Tashreeq with ‘fantastic’ experience ahead of departure

Updated 08 June 2025
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Hajj pilgrims embrace second day of Tashreeq with ‘fantastic’ experience ahead of departure

  • As their sacred journey draws to a close, many are preparing to return home, with their hearts filled with gratitude and peace after completing their pilgrimage

MINA: Most of the more than 1.6 million pilgrims taking part in this year’s Hajj have completed the second day of Tashreeq — a spiritually significant stage marked by the symbolic stoning of the devil in Mina on Sunday.

As their sacred journey draws to a close, many are preparing to return home, with their hearts filled with gratitude and peace after completing their pilgrimage.

June 8, which corresponds to the 12th of Dhul Hijjah on the Islamic calendar and marks the second of the three Tashreeq Days, witnessed a steady stream of pilgrims performing the stoning ritual at the Jamarat complex in Mina.

Under the coordination of Saudi authorities, the movement unfolded smoothly, supported by comprehensive security, health and logistical services.

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Following the stoning ritual, many pilgrims made their way to the Grand Mosque in Makkah to perform Tawaf Al-Wadaa, or the farewell circumambulation — the final rite of Hajj. This act signifies the conclusion of the pilgrimage, after which pilgrims begin their journeys back to their home countries.

In Islamic jurisprudence, pilgrims who complete the Hajj rites by the second day of Tashreeq are said to have performed Ta’ajul, or hastened Hajj. This option, permissible under Islamic Shariah, allows pilgrims to depart Mina after completing the stoning ritual on the 12th of Dhul Hijjah.

Those who remain in Mina until sunset are obligated to stay for a third day and do the stoning ritual once more on the 13th, marking the full completion of the pilgrimage rites.

PHOTO GALLERY: Hajj 2025: Pilgrims complete second day of Tashreeq

The temperature recorded in Mina at 11 a.m. was 41 degrees Celsius, with expectations of a rise to 45 degrees Celsius before a predicted 31 degrees Celsius later in the day, according to the National Meteorology Center.

Speaking to Arab News, Sayed Taqi, an Afghan pilgrim on his first pilgrimage, said that he had a “very good” experience for Hajj.

“The security people were helpful, and, honestly, I am very happy. I will be ending my rituals today by noon, as I have a flight tomorrow,” Taqi said.

Mohsin Rasul, a pilgrim from Bangalore, India, who was completing his rituals, said: “The overall experience was very nice and quite peaceful, there was not much rushing with the arrangements by the authorities, and there wasn’t any problem anywhere, whether in the Grand Mosque, Madinah, Mina or Arafat.”

He added: “Everywhere, the arrangement was fantastic, in fact.”

Maqsari Hasni from Sidi Bel Abbes, Algeria, said that he could not describe the feeling of being in the holy sites to perform Hajj.

He also spoke with a voice filled with gratitude and appreciation: “I thank the Saudi government very … very much. It has done its duty perfectly, and we are truly proud of you. May Allah bless and protect you.”

Azhar Al-Wishah, an Iraqi pilgrim who lives in Canada, said that he and his group performed a smooth and comfortable hajj.

Describing the services provided to the group, he said: “We have really found a truly great service from the security people and all those working here. They have supplied all the services. We would like to thank the government and the people for your good reception and generous hospitality.”

He hoped that peace and security would continue in Saudi Arabia and for its people, “who humbled us with their generosity and who were competing eagerly to serve the pilgrims.”

Al-Wishah added: “May God watch over this country and keep it safe until the Day of Judgment.”

Fatima, a 28-year-old Iranian pilgrim, told Arab News that she took part in a unique experience — witnessing people from all around the world coming together to perform the same rituals, just as Prophet Ibrahim did thousands of years ago. She added that it was remarkable to see individuals of different ages, colors and nationalities united in one place.

Describing the crowd management during Hajj, she said: “I think it is very difficult to manage, but overall, it was very well organized.”

According to the Ministry of Health, more than 147,000 medical services had been provided as of June 7.

In a post on its X account, the ministry reported that during this year’s Hajj, 18 open-heart surgeries were performed, while 248 cardiac catheterization procedures were carried out.

The ministry added that 2,626 pilgrims were referred to its intensive care units, and outpatient clinics treated more than 7,540 pilgrims. Moreover, 5,619 pilgrims were admitted to hospitals, while 35,176 patients received care at emergency rooms in Makkah.

The post added that 80,603 pilgrims received medical assistance at the ministry’s various medical centers.


Smart tech aids lifesaving care for Hajj pilgrim

King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah. (SPA)
Updated 07 June 2025
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Smart tech aids lifesaving care for Hajj pilgrim

  • After stabilization, she was equipped with a smartwatch linked to the Seha Virtual Hospital system for remote monitoring, enabling her to complete her pilgrimage safely

MAKKAH: A Moroccan pilgrim who had suffered a “severe” heart attack was admitted to King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah, where she received “urgent care supported by smartwatch technology and continuous virtual monitoring,” the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

The hospital, part of the Makkah Health Cluster, reported that the patient also suffered from chronic conditions including hypertension and diabetes.

She “underwent cardiac catheterization, during which a drug-eluting stent was placed in the left anterior descending artery,” the SPA reported.

After stabilization, she was equipped with a smartwatch linked to the Seha Virtual Hospital system for remote monitoring, enabling her to complete her pilgrimage safely.

Later, in Mina, the smartwatch detected abnormal readings as the patient experienced chest pain again, triggering an alert. The virtual care team directed her to Mina Al-Jisr Hospital, where she was evaluated and admitted for observation. Once stable, she was discharged with a treatment plan and continued virtual follow-up.

This case “illustrates the strength of Saudi Arabia’s digital health infrastructure during Hajj and reflects the Ministry of Health’s progress toward Vision 2030, prioritizing high-quality, smart healthcare for pilgrims,” the SPA wrote.