Yemen drone attacks on Saudi oil plants

Satellite imagery on 27 July confirmed that the Abqaiq processing plant, Saudi Aramco’s largest facility, suffered damage and fire after a drone strike. The plant is a critical hub for Saudi crude exports, prompting concerns about tighter global oil markets.

Three days later, on 30 July, new satellite photos revealed far more extensive damage at the Baqiq complex in eastern Saudi Arabia. The images showed multiple fires, heavily damaged gas‑storage tanks and pressure vessels, and cooling covers placed over tanks to contain gas leaks. Yemeni armed forces said the attacks targeted key points in the Saudi oil supply chain in retaliation for Saudi drone incursions into Yemeni airspace. The Baqiq facility processes around 7 million barrels per day, suggesting a potentially prolonged shutdown.

Together, the snapshots trace the escalation of Yemen‑origin drone attacks against Saudi oil infrastructure, highlighting increasing damage and the strategic intent behind the strikes.