3 minutes of readingNew DelhiUpdated: Mar 10, 2026 09:44 pm IST
Violence in the Middle East escalated on Tuesday when a fire broke out at a facility inside the Ruwais industrial complex in Abu Dhabi following an alleged drone attack, prompting state oil giant ADNOC to close its refinery as a precaution. Reuters reported citing a source familiar with the matter.
Abu Dhabi authorities confirmed they were responding to a Fire in the facilities after a drone attack.. The emirate’s government media office said emergency teams were quickly deployed and no injuries were reported, although officials did not specify which facility within the complex was affected.
The Ruwais complex is home to major facilities operated by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), including refineries capable of processing up to 922,000 barrels of crude oil per day. The site serves as a hub for Abu Dhabi’s downstream energy operations, encompassing large chemicals, fertilizers and industrial gases plants.
A source said Reuters that the refinery was temporarily closed as a precautionary measure while safety assessments are carried out. Other operations at the sprawling industrial complex continue as normal.
Gulf oil infrastructure takes a hit
Attacks on oil infrastructure across the Middle East have intensified in recent days. On March 2, the Ras Tanura refinery, one of the world’s largest refineries operated by Saudi Aramco, was attacked by two drones. Saudi air defenses intercepted the drones and no injuries were reported, although falling debris caused a small fire at the facility.
In Bahrain, the Bapco refinery was hit by a missile on March 5, which hit a unit of the state refinery complex. Thick smoke was again reported rising from the direction of the refinery on March 9. A witness cited by Reuters said smoke surrounded the facility after the government reported injuries and damage in the Sitra area following an Iranian drone attack. Operated by Bahrain Petroleum Company, the refinery is the country’s main oil processing facility and a critical part of its energy sector.
Meanwhile, on March 8 and 9, Israeli airstrikes hit several oil storage facilities and refinery-linked warehouses in and around Tehran, targeting energy infrastructure near the Iranian capital.
