DRONE ATTACK HITS MAJOR UAE REFINERY, HALTS PRODUCTION

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By: Fasasi Hammad

One of the world’s largest oil refineries in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been temporarily shut down as a precaution following a drone attack near the facility, sparking fresh concerns over global oil supply.

Sources familiar with the situation confirmed that the Ruwais refinery suspended operations after the incident at Ruwais Industrial City in Abu Dhabi.

“The Ruwais refinery has halted operations out of caution,” said a source who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

Authorities earlier confirmed that a drone strike sparked a fire in Ruwais Industrial City, though it remained unclear whether the refinery itself was directly impacted.

The facility, operated by the state-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), is ranked as the fourth-largest single-site refinery in the world.

The incident occurs amid escalating tensions in the Middle East conflict, which has already disrupted energy infrastructure across the region.

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Saudi Aramco’s President and CEO, Amin H. Nasser, warned that the unrest could have serious consequences for global oil markets.

“The disruption has triggered a severe chain reaction across shipping, insurance, aviation, agriculture, automotive, and other sectors,” Nasser said during a media call to announce the company’s 2025 earnings. “The longer these disruptions continue, the more severe the impact on global oil markets and the wider economy.”

He also stressed the urgency of reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route that transports roughly 20% of the world’s oil, which has been affected by the conflict.

The unrest has already targeted energy facilities across the Gulf, prompting evacuations. A driver at the Ruwais industrial complex recounted seeing additional bursts of fire and hearing explosions as workers were ordered to leave the site.

Energy analysts caution that continued attacks on Gulf oil infrastructure could have far-reaching economic implications.

“The Gulf energy sector is under pressure from multiple angles,” said Robert Mogielnicki of the Arab Gulf States Institute. “Targeted facilities, disrupted exports through the Strait, and filling storage capacity all threaten regional and global energy stability.”

Meanwhile, Qatar’s foreign ministry warned that sustained attacks on energy installations could create a dangerous precedent for the region.