EU calls for establishing facts behind Saudi oil attack

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA (AA) - The EU on Monday reiterated that it is important to establish facts behind the drone attacks on two facilities of Saudi Arabia’s state-owned oil company Aramco.

"[...] It is important to clearly establish the facts and then determine responsibility for this deplorable attack. This remains our position," EU's Foreign Affairs and Security Policy spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic said at a news briefing.

Kocijancic noted the EU released a statement on Sunday saying that "the attacks pose a real threat to regional security".

"At the same time, we repeat our call for maximum restraint and de-escalation in these tense times," she added.

The spokeswoman said the attacks undermine ongoing work at de-escalation and dialogue.

On Monday, the Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Since 2015, the Saudi-led coalition has been fighting the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. Thousands of Yemenis were killed and pushed the country to the brink of famine.

Houthis, whose mid and long-range ballistic missiles are usually intercepted by the Saudi air defense systems, used to target, in recent months, certain strategic parts of Saudi Arabia with armed drones.

The U.S. administration accused Iran of directing the attacks while Saudi Arabia awaits the results of the investigation.