Saudi Arabia vows retaliation after Houthi attacks injure dozens and hit energy facilities
Houthi forces struck Saudi energy sites in the south, wounding at least 73 people, prompting Riyadh to promise a firm response as fighting in Yemen intensifies.
Houthi militants launched drone and missile attacks on Saudi Arabia's southern energy infrastructure on Tuesday, igniting fires at several oil installations and causing injuries to at least 73 civilians, including women and children. Saudi officials said the strikes targeted facilities operated by the state oil company and vowed a strong retaliation.
"The Houthis choose to prioritise their narrow interests over the interests of Yemen and resort to violence," Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud said at a press conference in Moscow, adding that diplomatic avenues remain open.
The attacks come amid a broader escalation between the Iran-aligned group and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government, which has launched counter-offensives across multiple provinces. The United Nations-brokered truce that halted large-scale fighting in 2022 has now collapsed, raising concerns over the security of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a key maritime chokepoint for global oil shipments.
Analysts note that the Houthis are seeking greater control over the Red Sea shipping lane as Iran's restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz increase Saudi reliance on the Bab al-Mandeb route. The conflict has also prompted condemnation from regional actors, with Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Russia and Pakistan denouncing the attacks as violations of international law and threats to regional stability.
On the ground in Yemen, government-aligned forces reported advances in al-Jawf, al-Bayda, Marib and Taiz, while the Houthis claimed to have repelled attacks and downed Saudi drones. Humanitarian agencies warned that the renewed fighting has displaced thousands and increased civilian casualties, exacerbating an already dire situation.