Drone Attack on Saudi Oilfield Kills Two, Prompts US Evacuation Order

Two individuals lost their lives and two others sustained injuries in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday when debris from an intercepted drone struck near a processing plant at Saudi Aramco’s Shaybah oilfield in the Eastern Province. The deceased were identified as citizens of the Philippines and Nepal, while those injured were from Pakistan and India.

The Ministry of Energy stated via X that the drone was targeted at the plant, and the resulting falling debris ignited a fire in a contractor’s vehicle situated outside the facility's perimeter. The ministry assured that the incident had no effect on the oilfield's ongoing operations.

Concurrently, the US State Department has instructed non-essential government employees and their families to depart Saudi Arabia due to escalating Houthi attacks on the kingdom, according to spokesman Tommy Pigott. This directive specifically targets non-emergency US government personnel and their dependents.

Mr. Pigott further noted that Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have intensified their hostilities against Saudi Arabia, launching strikes on civilian airports and other vital infrastructure, which have led to civilian casualties and significant travel disruptions.