Seven Houthi drones attacked Saudi pipeline, says letter to UN

Note was circulated to UN Security Council before Wednesday's briefing by special envoy to Yemen, Martin Griffiths

This satellite image provided by Planet Labs Inc. shows Saudi Aramco's Pumping Station No. 8 near a Duadmi, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, May 14, 2019, after what the kingdom described as a drone attack on tShow more

Riyadh has urged the UN Security Council to enforce resolutions aimed at disarming Yemen's Houthi rebels, blaming them for an attack on a Saudi pipeline and saying they used the port of Hodeidah as a “launchpad for terrorist operations”.

A letter sent to the council on Tuesday said that seven explosive drones attacked the Saudi oil facilities.

“The drones were directed by the Iranian-backed Houthi militia in Yemen to oil pump stations in the cities of Dawadmi and Afif,” it stated.

“The attack occurred on an east-west oil pipeline that transfers the Saudi oil to Yanbu Port and to the rest of the world onwards.

"While the Houthi militia claims full responsibility and calls it a victory, such an act will only lead to further escalation in the region.”

The letter was circulated to the council before Wednesday's briefing to members by the UN special envoy to Yemen, Martin Griffiths.

It called for the full implementation of resolutions aimed at stopping Hodeidah being used as a base for operations such as drone attacks.

“The kingdom of Saudi Arabia furthermore calls for the Security Council to take urgent measures to address the stockpile of Houthi weapons and to disarm this terrorist militia.”

But the letter did not call for the council to meet to discuss Tuesday's incident.