Latest Geography of Saudi Arabia Stories

By Souhail Karam ABQAIQ, Saudi Arabia (Reuters) - Al Qaeda claimed responsibility on Saturday for an attack on a Saudi oil facility at Abqaiq, when security forces fired at suicide bombers trying to storm the world's biggest oil processing plant. Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi said oil and gas output was unaffected by Friday's "terrorist attempt" -- the first direct strike on a Saudi oil target since al Qaeda attacks aimed at toppling Saudi Arabia's U.S.-allied monarchy in 2003. In a...

By Souhail Karam ABQAIQ, Saudi Arabia (Reuters) - In the dusty desert town of Abqaiq, residents heaved a sigh of relief on Saturday after al Qaeda militants failed to destroy the oil facility that is the mainstay of their existence. "Before oil, there was nothing, it was a desert. What you see here was plain desert with a few sheep and camels," said Mishael Azaabi, a retired employee of the state-owned oil giant Saudi Aramco. "Now oil is providing jobs for us, for our sons and our...

By Souhail Karam ABQAIQ, Saudi Arabia (Reuters) - Al Qaeda claimed responsibility for Friday's attack on a Saudi oil facility at Abqaiq, when security forces fired at suicide bombers trying to storm the world's biggest oil processing plant. Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi said oil and gas output was unaffected by the "terrorist attempt" -- the first direct strike on a Saudi oil target since al Qaeda militants launched attacks aimed at toppling Saudi Arabia's pro-Western monarchy in...

By Andrew Hammond RIYADH (Reuters) - Two cars exploded at the gates of Saudi Arabia's huge Abqaiq oil facility on Friday when security forces fired on suicide bombers trying to storm the world's biggest oil processing plant, Saudi officials said. Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi said oil and gas output was unaffected by the "terrorist attempt" -- the first direct strike on a Saudi oil target since al Qaeda militants launched attacks aimed at toppling Saudi Arabia's pro-Western monarchy in...

LONDON (Reuters) - Saudi security foiled on Friday an attack on the huge Abqaiq oil facility by three cars armed with explosives, firing on them as they rammed the outer gates of the facility, Saudi security adviser Nawaf Obaid said. Obaid told Reuters that the three cars exploded after being fired on by security guards at the gates 1 mile from the main entrance to Abqaiq. "Three cars rammed the first of the three sets of gates protecting Abqaiq and when security shot at them all...

LONDON (Reuters) - Saudi security foiled on Friday an attack on the huge Abqaiq oil facility by three cars armed with explosives, firing on them as they rammed the outer gates of the facility, Saudi security adviser Nawaf Obaid said. Obaid told Reuters that the three cars exploded after being fired on by security guards at the gates 1.5 km (miles) from the main entrance to Abqaiq. "Three cars rammed the first of the three sets of gates protecting Abqaiq and when security shot at them...

DUBAI (Reuters) - An explosion rocked Saudi Arabia's huge Abqaiq oil facility in the east of the kingdom on Friday and an official said Saudi forces had thwarted suicide bomb attacks against the world's biggest oil exporter. Oil jumped more than $2 a barrel. Al Qaeda leaders have previously called for attacks on oil fields in Saudi Arabia, a key U.S. ally. A security source said suicide bombers had tried to storm the facility in the mainly Shi'ite province, known locally as Baqiq, and...

RIYADH (Reuters) - Suicide bombers tried to storm an oil facility in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province on Friday, a security source said. "Security forces foiled an attempted suicide attack at the Abqaiq refinery using at least two cars," the official said. Al Arabiya television said Saudi forces killed the attackers. Authorities have brought under control a fire at a pipeline following a blast at the oil facility, Al Arabiya television said. The Saudi-owned channel quoted security...

DUBAI (Reuters) - An explosion was heard at Saudi Arabia's huge Abqaiq oil facility in the Kingdom's eastern oil province on Friday, Al Arabiya television reported. The Dubai-based station quoted witnesses as saying shooting was heard in the area, also known locally as Baqiq and site of one of Saudi Arabi's biggest oilfields. No further details were immediately available. It was not clear if there was any impact on output from the world's largest oil producer and a close U.S. ally. Most...

DUBAI (Reuters) - An explosion was heard at Saudi Arabia's Abqaiq oil facility on Friday, Al Arabiya television reported. It also quoted witnesses as saying shooting was heard in the area in the kingdom's main eastern oil province. No further details were immediately available.