Yemen rebels strike oil depot in Saudi city hosting F1 race

By HASSAN AMMAR, JEROME PUGMIRE and JON GAMBRELL
Associated Press

JIDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels have attacked an oil depot in the Saudi city of Jiddah ahead of a Formula One race in the kingdom. It’s the rebels’ highest-profile assault yet, but authorities pledge this weekend’s race will go on. The attack targeted the same fuel depot that the Houthis had attacked in recent days. No injuries were reported in the attack. The plant sits just southeast of the city’s international airport, a crucial hub for Muslim pilgrims heading to Mecca. Saudi authorities said the “hostile operation” targeting the depot involved a missile attack. Journalists covering the F1 practice saw smoke rise over the city around 5:40 p.m.