Houthi media says Saudi Arabia hit oil facility near Sanaa

An AFP correspondent reported an explosion in Sanaa, while Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV reported a Saudi attack on an oil company west of the city. (AFP pic) SANAA: Houthi media reported that Saudi Arabia struck an oil facility near Sanaa on Tuesday, after the Saudi-led coalition ordered civilians to evacuate the site.

An AFP correspondent in Sanaa reported hearing an explosion, while a breaking news alert on the Houthis' Al-Masirah TV said "Saudi aggression targets the oil company in Al-Sabaha, west of Sanaa".

The Saudi-led coalition had earlier warned civilians to evacuate the Al-Sabaha station near the Houthi-held capital, which belongs to the Yemen Petroleum Company (YPC), following a spate of deadly Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia, particularly on Riyadh airport.

Following the warning, AFP's correspondent reported that many civilians rushed to queue at fuel stations in Sanaa, fearing shortages.

But the YPC sought to reassure the public, saying it had taken all necessary precautions in the event of an "emergency" to "meet people's needs."

"Al-Sabaha facilities currently do not contain any stock of petroleum products, and therefore, targeting them will not affect fuel stock or supply chains," it said in a statement.

Stocks for consumption are "available in safe facilities and locations, and in sufficient quantities" to meet demand for long periods.