Saudi Cabinet says Houthi attacks target backbone of global economy

Ministers condemned the Iran-backed rebel group

A man looks at a damaged silo a day after an attack at the Saudi Aramco oil facility in Saudi Arabia's Red Sea city of Jeddah, on November 24, 2020.  AFP 

Saudi Arabia's King Salman chaired the Cabinet's online session on Monday, during which he repeated the country's condemnation of terrorist attacks carried out by the Iranian-backed Houthi militia.

The Cabinet said terrorist acts of sabotage against vital installations did not target the kingdom's capabilities but rather the core of the global economy and the security of its supplies.

Houthi rebels struck a Saudi oil facility early on Monday in Jeddah. There was an explosion when a missile strike set a fuel tank on fire at an oil products distribution terminal. The Houthis claimed they struck the depot with a cruise missile.

At the outset of the session on Monday, King Salman expressed his appreciation to all the world leaders for their effective participation in the 15th session of the G20 summit, which was held remotely under the presidency of Saudi Arabia.

In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency, Acting Minister of Media, Dr Majid Al Qasabi, said the Cabinet also reviewed the latest developments of the coronavirus pandemic.

Minister reviewed the efforts taken to ensure that Saudi Arabia is among the first countries that will receive the coronavirus vaccine, once it has been approved.