Saudi Arabia will not take any responsibility for global oil supply shortages in light of the attacks on its oil facilities from Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen, the kingdom's foreign ministry said on Monday.
The statement stressed 'the importance of the international community realizing the gravity of Iran's continued behavior of equipping the Houthis with the technology of ballistic missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV).'
It also confirmed that the Houthis have targeted the kingdom's oil, gas and refined products facilities that have affected its production capability and ability to fulfill its commitments, resulting in serious consequences for the upstream and downstream sectors.
The ministry urged the international community to take responsibility for preserving energy supplies given that the attacks are undermining 'the security and sustainability of energy supply to global markets.'
- Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia
Early Sunday, the Saudi-led coalition said air defenses had intercepted a ballistic missile and nine drones fired by Houthi rebels towards Saudi Arabia.
A coalition statement said the rebel drones targeted a water desalination plant in Al-Shaqeeq, a facility run by Aramco in Jazan, a power station in the southern Dhahran al Janub city, a gas station in Khamis Mushait, and an Aramco plant in Yanbu.
The coalition also said it had intercepted and destroyed three drones that targeted economic facilities.
Yemen has been engulfed by violence and instability since 2014, when Iranian-aligned Houthi rebels captured much of the country, including the capital Sanaa.
The conflict has created one of the world's worst man-made humanitarian crises, with nearly 80% of the country, or about 30 million people, in need of humanitarian assistance and protection and more than 13 million are in danger of starvation, according to UN estimates.
By Firdevs Yuksel
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr