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Paris Doubts That Yemeni Houthis Could Attack Saudi Oil Compounds - Foreign Minister

© REUTERS / Khaled AbdullahArmed men ride on the back of a truck to attend a rally held by supporters of Houthi rebels and Yemen's former president Ali Abdullah Saleh to celebrate an agreement reached by Saleh and the Houthis to form a political council to unilaterally rule the country, in Sanaa, Yemen August 1, 2016
Armed men ride on the back of a truck to attend a rally held by supporters of Houthi rebels and Yemen's former president Ali Abdullah Saleh to celebrate an agreement reached by Saleh and the Houthis to form a political council to unilaterally rule the country, in Sanaa, Yemen August 1, 2016 - Sputnik International
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A drone attack that occurred last week has caused a considerable drop in the kingdom's net oil output, subsequently affecting global oil prices. Riyadh and Washington claimed that Iran was behind the strike, while Tehran stated it was performed by Houthi militants.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian stated on Thursday that the scenario of Yemeni Houthis attacking Saudi Aramco oil facilities isn't very credible. He also urged to conduct an international probe into the attacks, stressing that there is a pressing need for de-escalation.

"Yemen's rebels have announced they have triggered this attack. That is not very credible, relatively speaking", the minister told journalists.

Ansar Allah movement, also known as the Houthis, claimed responsibility for the drone strikes in Abqaiq and Khurais, however, Washington and Riyadh stated that it was an act of war by Tehran, because the attackers used Iranian-made UAV and cruise missiles.

© REUTERS / VIDEOS OBTAINED BY REUTERSSmoke is seen following a fire at an Aramco factory in Abqaiq, Saudi Arabia, September 14, 2019 in this picture obtained from social media
Paris Doubts That Yemeni Houthis Could Attack Saudi Oil Compounds - Foreign Minister - Sputnik International
Smoke is seen following a fire at an Aramco factory in Abqaiq, Saudi Arabia, September 14, 2019 in this picture obtained from social media

In response, the Islamic Republic stated that those making the accusations know nothing about the origins of the drones, stressing that the kingdom "failed to explain why the country's defence system wasn't able to intercept them".

The incident comes amid an escalation of tensions in the region, with the US deploying additional troops near the Iranian border and establishing a maritime coalition to patrol the Gulf of Oman.

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