Houthi Strikes Hit Saudi Energy Sites, Wound 73 and Lift Oil Prices

Houthi Strikes Hit Saudi Aramco Sites, Wound 73 and Push Oil Prices Higher Houthi forces launched a wave of ballistic-missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia early Tuesday, targeting energy facilities, utilities and civilian areas in the kingdom’s southern region. Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry confirmed that fires broke out at several sites and that operations were temporarily suspended at some facilities. The ministry did not immediately disclose the full extent of the damage. The Saudi-led coalition spokesman, Major General Turki al-Malki, said the attacks wounded (73) people, including women and children. He described the strikes as a “dangerous escalation”.

Where the Attacks Hit The Houthi attacks targeted cities in southern Saudi Arabia, including: - Abha - Jazan - Najran - Khamis Mushait Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the strikes also hit King Khalid Air Base. He said the attacks were retaliation for Saudi-led operations this week in Yemen’s Bayda, Hodeidah, Jawf, Marib and Taiz governorates. Saree warned that future Houthi strikes could be “harsher and wider” if Saudi attacks continued. Reuters, AP, NBC and The National reported on the attacks, citing Saudi and regional sources.

Oil Markets React Oil prices rose sharply after the attacks. Brent crude gained about ($1) to around ($98) a barrel, while US crude climbed more than ($2) to about ($93.65) a barrel following the Saudi Energy Ministry’s statement. The Jazan refinery, which can process (400,000) barrels of oil per day and is one of Saudi Arabia’s largest, was among the facilities affected. The temporary suspension of operations at key sites raised concerns about supply disruptions in a major oil-producing region. The attacks came as shipping in the Red Sea already faces pressure from a Houthi blockade near the Bab el-Mandeb strait. Together with tensions around the Strait of Hormuz linked to the US-Iran conflict, two of the world’s most important oil chokepoints are now under strain.

Truce Collapses, Displacement Rises The strikes mark a further breakdown of a four-year truce in Yemen, which has effectively collapsed. Renewed fighting in Taiz and Hodeidah has displaced around (18,500) people, according to reports. Humanitarian agencies say stocks of food, medicine and other essential supplies in Yemen are running low, raising concerns about a worsening crisis.

Regional Tensions Intensify Saudi Arabia condemned the attacks as a serious escalation and a violation of its sovereignty. Officials said the strikes targeted both civilian and economic facilities. Some reports claimed that Iranian-backed Houthi forces have also targeted US and allied military installations in Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Pentagon officials have sought to downplay the impact of such attacks, though sources suggested damage in some cases was significant. Independent verification of these claims was not immediately available. The renewed fighting in Yemen and the attacks on Saudi territory underline the fragility of regional security arrangements and the risk of a wider escalation across the Gulf.