Published 20:44 IST, September 16th 2019

Saudi Arabia's Aramco Plants remain a potential target: Houthis

Yemen's Houthis have issued a warning that Saudi Aramco's oil processing plants still remain a target, after they claimed responsibility for the drone attacks

Reported by: Tanima Ray
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Following attacks on Saudi Arabia's Aramco Plant on September 14, Yemen's Houthi movement has yet again threatened oil processing plants, saying that y could be attacked "any moment". Houthis have warned foreigners and asked m to leave area. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea claimed that attacks on Aramco plants in Abqaiq and Khurais in kingdom's eastern region were carried out by drones. Sarea said that Houthis attacked to stop Saudi Arabia's aggression and blocke on Yemen.

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Effect on Oil reserve and prices

Saudi Arabia is world's biggest exporter of crude oil with more than 7 million barrels of oil shipment to global destinations every day. attack kcked out more than half Kingdom's output. As a result, oil prices soared, increasing tensions in Middle East. state-run oil company Saudi Aramco said that attacks cut kingdom's output by 5.7 million barrels per day (bpd) which is more than 5% of global oil supply. To make up loss, Aramco is in process of planning what is expected to be world's largest initial public offering. Within 48 hours of investigation, company will draw down oil in stor to compensate for loss, said Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman.

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US blames Iran, supports Saudi Arabia

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo put blame squarely on Iran, writing on Twitter that re was evidence attacks came from Yemen. Pompeo accused Iran of attacking  World's energy supply despite calls for de-escalation.  US has condemned attack and Trump told Saudi Crown Prince that Washington was rey to work with kingdom to guarantee its security. Moreover, US Department of Energy has extended its support saying that it's rey to release oil from its reserve in time of need. As per State News ncy, Saudi's de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told U.S. President Donald Trump on telephone that Riyh h will and capability to confront and deal with this terrorist aggression. 

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Saudis blame Iran for previous attacks

An investigation h been launched to find true attacker said Coalition spokesman Colonel Turki al-Malki. re were casualties in attacks, stated Aramco Chief Executive Amin Nasser.

While Saudi Arabia has yet to accuse anyone of current attacks, y have accused Iran for previous attacks. Saudi Arabia claims that Iran supplies arms to Houthis. Tehran has denied accusation. Yet Iran denies it.  

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18:58 IST, September 16th 2019