Abu Dhabi, UAE – A major oil refinery in the United Arab Emirates has suspended operations after a drone attack near the facility triggered safety concerns, raising fears of further disruption to global oil supplies.
Okay News reports that the refinery located in Ruwais Industrial City in Abu Dhabi halted operations as a precaution following a fire caused by the incident. Authorities confirmed that a drone strike sparked the blaze, though it remains unclear whether the refinery itself was directly hit.
The facility is operated by the state-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, which describes the Ruwais refinery as the world’s fourth-largest single-site refinery. Workers at the industrial complex reportedly evacuated the area after seeing flames and hearing loud explosions shortly after the attack.
Energy experts say the incident could intensify pressure on global oil markets as tensions continue to escalate across the Middle East. The head of Saudi Aramco, Amin H. Nasser, warned that the ongoing conflict could trigger serious consequences for energy supply chains, aviation, agriculture, and other industries worldwide.
He also stressed the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial maritime corridor responsible for transporting roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil supply, which has been disrupted by the escalating conflict in the region.
