Houthi missile and drone strikes hit four southern Saudi cities and energy facilities Tuesday, injuring 73 people and setting fires as the regional conflict widens.
WEBDESK – MEDIABITES
Iran-backed Houthi forces launched missiles and drones at four Saudi cities on Tuesday, injuring 73 people and striking civilian and energy facilities in one of the group’s most significant escalations against the kingdom in years.
The attacks targeted Khamis Mushait, Abha, Najran and Jazan, according to Saudi authorities and Houthi statements.
Saudi officials said women and children were among those injured. Fires were reported at several locations, including energy-related facilities, as emergency crews moved to contain the blazes and assess the damage.
Satellite imagery showed heavy smoke over the Jazan refinery and additional smoke rising from an oil distribution facility in Abha, according to Reuters.
The Houthis said they had carried out a broad military operation deep inside Saudi territory. The group claimed it targeted a Saudi airbase in Khamis Mushait as well as facilities belonging to Saudi Aramco in Abha, Najran and Jazan.
Saudi authorities did not immediately provide a detailed assessment of damage to energy infrastructure.
The attacks mark a major escalation after a period of relative calm in the Saudi-Houthi conflict. Saudi Arabia has led an Arab coalition fighting the Houthis in Yemen since 2015, although violence between the two sides had eased considerably in recent years.
The renewed fighting also comes as Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces have launched offensives against Houthi-held territory.
The Saudi-led coalition warned that it would take measures to deter further attacks.
Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki said Saudi forces would take “all necessary operational measures” to confront the Houthi threat.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree, meanwhile, accused Riyadh of escalating the conflict through airstrikes in Yemen and warned that the group would respond.
The latest strikes have raised concerns about the potential impact on regional energy supplies. Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s largest oil producers, while Jazan is home to major refining and energy infrastructure.
Global oil prices rose amid renewed fears that the widening conflict could disrupt supplies. Brent crude briefly approached $100 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate also climbed.
The attacks also add pressure to shipping routes around the Red Sea, where the Houthis have previously targeted commercial vessels. Any sustained escalation could further complicate energy and maritime flows already affected by conflict around the Strait of Hormuz.
The Houthis control much of northern and western Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa. The movement has maintained close ties with Iran and possesses significant missile and drone capabilities.
The group began attacking Red Sea shipping and launching strikes against Israel in 2023, saying it was acting in support of Palestinians during the Gaza war.
Tuesday’s attacks demonstrate the Houthis’ continuing ability to threaten Saudi territory and critical infrastructure as the wider Middle East conflict enters a new and potentially more dangerous phase.
