Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi forces launched a series of missile and drone attacks on southern Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, triggering a major escalation in the wider Middle East conflict.
Saudi authorities said the attacks targeted civilian and economic sites in *Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran, with 73 people injured, including women and children.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
Issue/Event: Major Houthi missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia
Location: Southern Saudi Arabia
Authority/Organisation: Saudi authorities / Houthi forces
Action Taken: Saudi emergency teams responded while authorities vowed measures against the threat
Impact: 73 injured, energy operations disrupted and fresh pressure on global oil markets
Saudi Arabia's Energy Ministry said several energy-sector facilities and installations were hit, with fires breaking out at multiple locations. Some operations were temporarily halted as emergency teams worked to contain the fires and assess the damage.
The attacks also targeted facilities belonging to Saudi oil giant Saudi Aramco, according to reports. Aramco installations in Abha, Najran and Jazan were among the locations identified in reports on the strikes.
The Houthi military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, claimed responsibility and said the group had used dozens of ballistic missiles and drones. The Houthis said the attacks were carried out in response to Saudi military operations in Yemen.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
The attacks threaten to widen the conflict around the Red Sea and Gulf region, putting critical energy infrastructure and global oil supplies under additional pressure. Saudi Arabia is one of the world's largest oil exporters, meaning prolonged disruption to its energy infrastructure could have consequences far beyond the region. The immediate rise in crude prices reflects those concerns.
Saudi officials condemned the attacks as a dangerous escalation and said the kingdom would take necessary measures to defend its sovereignty and protect its citizens and residents.
The latest escalation has also sent fresh shockwaves through global energy markets. Brent crude moved close to $100 a barrel following the attacks, raising concerns about the impact of continued disruption in the Gulf and wider Middle East.
The attacks come amid renewed fighting between the Saudi-backed Yemeni government and the Houthis. The conflict had largely eased after a UN-brokered truce in 2022, but hostilities have intensified again in recent weeks.
