Tensions in the Middle East escalated further on Thursday as drone attacks hit key oil facilities in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, raising fresh concerns about global energy security.
Saudi Arabia confirmed that a drone struck the Samref refinery in the Red Sea port city of Yanbu. According to the country’s defence ministry, the impact caused damage, with assessments still ongoing. Yanbu is a critical export hub, serving as the endpoint of the Petroline pipeline, which allows Saudi oil to bypass the Strait of Hormuz — a route currently disrupted by regional tensions.
In Kuwait, similar attacks triggered fires at the Mina Abdullah and Mina Al-Ahmadi refineries, two major facilities with a combined processing capacity of about 800,000 barrels per day. Authorities later confirmed that the fires had been brought under control.
The latest strikes come just a day after significant damage was reported at Qatar’s Ras Laffan gas hub, one of the world’s largest, following Iran’s retaliation for earlier Israeli attacks on its South Pars gas field.
The wave of attacks has intensified fears of prolonged disruption to oil and gas supplies, sending global energy markets into a surge. Brent crude prices climbed above $115 per barrel on Thursday, reflecting growing uncertainty over the stability of the region’s energy infrastructure.
With multiple strategic facilities now targeted, analysts warn that the situation could further strain global supply chains if the conflict continues to escalate.
