Kathmandu— Yemen's Houthi rebels are reportedly responsible for an attack on a Saudi Aramco gas plant in the Jubail region, according to reports from Israeli media following an explosion and fire at the industrial facility. The incident occurred in the eastern region of the Kingdom, a major energy hub, amid a period of heightened regional tensions and renewed Houthi activity in the Red Sea.

Explosions Reported in Industrial Hub

Reports of a loud explosion and subsequent fire emerged from the Jubail Industrial City, a critical center for petrochemical, refining, and gas-related infrastructure on Saudi Arabia's eastern coast. While the exact cause was initially under investigation, Israeli media outlet Channel 14 reported that the Houthis were behind the strike on the Saudi Aramco facility.

Other regional reports corroborated the occurrence of the blast. The Anadolu Agency reported a loud explosion in the area, while Iran's state broadcaster, IRIB, cited Arab sources stating that gas facilities in the industrial city had been targeted and caught fire.

Escalating Regional Tensions

The attack marks a significant escalation, representing the first major strike on the Kingdom's energy facilities by the group. This follows a pattern of Houthi activity in the Red Sea, including a declared naval blockade of Riyadh along the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait last month—a move the Houthis claimed was a response to the Saudi blockade of Yemen, which Riyadh has rejected.

Saudi Arabia has previously accused the Houthi rebels, who control much of northern Yemen and are aligned with Iran, of using missiles and drones to threaten strategic energy and transport infrastructure.

New Regional Defense Pact

The strike comes just days after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey formalized the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement. The pact was established to strengthen military cooperation and bolster collective deterrence among the three nations amidst mounting security threats across West Asia.

According to a summit statement, the agreement stipulates that "any armed attack against any one of the three States shall be regarded as an attack against them all." While the framework does not detail specific military obligations, it aims to promote peace, stability, and security in the region.

The attack occurs amid growing concerns regarding the security of Saudi energy infrastructure and increasing conflict across West Asia.

(With inputs from ANI)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.