Yemeni Houthi rebels carried out at least 16 attacks in Saudi Arabia on Friday, targeting strategic facilities, including one in Jeddah near the Formula 1 circuit which hosts the Grand Prix. F1 has decided to maintain the competition.
The Houthis have once again targeted Saudi Arabia with criminal attacks that caused a massive fire at an oil site. At least 16 attacks in the south of the country and in Jeddah in the west took place.
Several strategic facilities were targeted including a power plant, a water station and oil facilities, according to the Arab coalition.
In retaliation, the coalition carried out airstrikes in Yemen “against sources of threat in Sanaa (the capital) and Hodeidah (where the country’s most important port is located)”, the official Saudi press agency SPA tweeted.
“The military operation will continue until its objectives are achieved,” added the same source on the night of Friday to Saturday.
This series of attacks by the Houthi rebels comes as Saudi Arabia is due to organize the Formula 1 Grand Prix. The Formula 1 promoter and the International Automobile Federation (FIA) have decided, after long discussions, to maintain the F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
“After the widely covered incident that took place in Jeddah on Friday, lengthy discussions were held between stakeholders, Saudi government authorities and responsible security agencies who gave full and detailed assurances that the event is secure,” F1 and FIA wrote in a statement.
“After discussions with all teams and drivers, the Saudi Arabian Formula 1 Grand Prix will continue as planned,” they announced.
On Saturday afternoon, the drivers will carry out their 3rd free practice session as planned, three hours before qualifying, scheduled for 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. local time, while the race will take place on Sunday at 8:00 p.m. HL.
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