Houthis claim missile strikes that attacked Saudi oil facilities, injured 73
The Houthis claimed they had targeted Saudi oil giant Aramco's facilities in Abha, Najran and Jazan, as well as an air base in Khamis Mushait, using ballistic missiles and drones.
Trucks explode as they burn, during what the Houthis say was an attack targeting trucks coming from Saudi territory, at Al-Wadiah border crossing near Al-Wadiah, on the Saudi-Yemen border. (Reuters/image enhanced using AI)
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis attacked targets in southern Saudi Arabia Tuesday, wounding at least 73 people and disrupting operations at some energy facilities, including Aramco, as the latest escalation raised fears that the Iran conflict could widen into a broader regional war.
At least 73 people were wounded in attacks on Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran, Colonel Turki al-Malki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, said. The injured included women and children.
The attacks came after Iran warned that energy infrastructure across the Gulf, including US oil and gas interests, could be vulnerable following a tit-for-tat exchange of attacks on ships in and around the Gulf last weekend.
Saudi Arabia supplied 13.58% of India’s crude imports in FY2024-25, making any prolonged disruption to Gulf energy supplies a concern for New Delhi. With oil nearing $99 a barrel and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz already severely constrained, India could face higher import costs, inflation and pressure on the rupee.
“The coalition will take all necessary operational measures to deter this terrorist militia and resolutely confront its hostile approach,” al-Malki said in a statement on X.
Aramco’s facilities in Abha, Najran and Jazan targeted
The Houthis claimed they had targeted Saudi oil giant Aramco’s facilities in Abha, Najran and Jazan, as well as an air base in Khamis Mushait, using ballistic missiles and drones. Reuters could not immediately verify the reported strike on the Jazan facility, and Aramco had not commented.
Los hutíes de Yemen están provocando un infierno en Arabia Saudita. Esta madrugada impactaron de forma brutal con misiles y drones a refinerías de Aramco, la petrolera mas grande del mundo, y también instalaciones militares saudíes. Las ciudades de Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan y… pic.twitter.com/6iOQ1lYart
The Saudi energy ministry said fires broke out at some energy facilities and that operations at some sites were temporarily halted while authorities assessed the damage.
Houthis’ dominance
The Houthis, who control Yemen’s most populous areas and much of the north, declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia in July. Since then, they have launched attacks towards the kingdom, including strikes on Saudi-linked vessels in the Red Sea.
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The latest attacks have added to concerns over global energy supplies. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for oil and gas, has slowed sharply, with only seven commodity vessels passing through on Monday, according to Kpler data cited by Reuters.
Oil prices rose after the Saudi attacks, with Brent crude nearing $99 a barrel and US crude rising above $94, as markets priced in the risk of further disruption.
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