Saudi Arabia on Wednesday showed remnants of multiple drone and missiles that it said were utilized in an assault against Saudi Aramco facilities over the weekend. The attacks were “undeniably” supported by Iran however investigations are as yet in progress to determine the exact location of the launch, defense ministry representative Col. Turki Al-Maliki announced at a press conference in Riyadh.

Col Turki Al Malki briefed the press about the investigations concerning the assault that hit about 50 percent of the nation’s oil processing ability.

The press briefing came moments after nation’s Deputy Defense Minister, Prince Khalid bin Salman, tweeted an announcement expressing gratitude toward the Trump administration for its assistance in confronting the Iranian regime’s “hostility.” Saudi Arabia, he stated, “stands with the US against the powers of malevolent and ridiculous hostility,”

Col Al Malki told that the debris displayed at the press briefing demonstrated clear proof of Iranian animosity, yet he refused to accuse them directly.

He announced they are inspecting where the assault began and when they have done so they will evaluate the case.

“We are working towards finding out who is responsible and they will be held accountable for it,” he said. He declined to remark on whether that would incorporate a military reaction.

“We affirm the nation’s capacity to guard it, the assault was not an assault on Saudi Arabia but rather on the worldwide economy,” he added. “Iran’s proceeded with animosity and proceeded with support for militia’s groups harms us all … We ask the international community to consider Iran liable for it; all their activities and actions display aggression.”

The drone attack was a blend of cruise missiles, made in Iran in 2019, and delta wing drones also belonged to the Iranian army, Col Al Malki added.

He also added that the attack was beyond the capabilities of Tehran’s regional forces and that the direction of the impacts demonstrated that they couldn’t have originated from Yemen, regardless of a case by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels that they made the strikes.

“The utilized cruise missiles were of cutting edge capability; the manufacturing date is 2019 – Iran’s IRGC has this sort of weaponry – all accumulated proofs found from the site points towards Iran,” Col Al Malki said.

Later in response, a Houthi military representative stated that the group would present data to prove their involvement in the assault.

“We will reveal new drones utilized in Aramco assaults from three areas in Yemen,” the representative said.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo considered the assaults a “demonstration of war” after he touched base on Wednesday night in the Red Sea city of Jeddah, where he was planned to meet with the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Pompeo will later visit the United Arab Emirates on Thursday to meet with His Highness the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed.

Col Al Maliki pushed back against an inquiry regarding the ability of the Saudi air defense forces for missing to capture the shots, saying that the kingdom has brought down 252 ballistic missiles and many drones as of late.

“No nation has been assaulted with such a large number of ballistic missiles,” he said. “We are proud of our air defense, we have interpenetrated several projectiles, we have saved our nation,” he stated.

On the topic of the origin of drone assault, Col Al Malki ruled out Yemen and said that the type of cruise missile couldn’t have arrived at the more than 1,200 kilometres from the Houthi controlled area. He said that the more probable situation is that the assaults begun in Iraq or Iran.

“The cruise missile couldn’t reach the oil facilities and subsequently couldn’t emerge from Yemen. We are attempting to find out the launch point.

Col Al Malki ruled out Yemen and also said that they have adequate proof from the drones and missiles to attempt to pinpoint the cause and after complete investigation will find the launch site too.

There have been various assaults by Houthi rebels utilizing what is accepted to be Iranian weapons on the kingdom, including missile assaults on Abha civilian air terminal which left a several injured.

According to The National, Col Al Malki stated that “Iran isn’t just assaulting the civilian but also the infrastructure.

The Deputy Defense Minister, Prince Khalid tweeted, “We welcome the United States’ longstanding position on safeguarding its allies and center interests in the district against unjustifiable acts of hostility.”

“The United States is set up to work together with the GCC states to dissuade and stand up to an external threat to any GCC state’s regional integrity that is conflicting with the UN sanction,” the agreement states.

In the event of such animosity or risk of such activity, the statement continues, the United States will work with GCC partners to decide the appropriate action “including the potential utilization of military power for the protection of our GCCC partners.” The National reported.

Article Credit:- The National/BBC

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