Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen launched a series of missile and drone attacks on multiple cities and oil facilities in southern Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, wounding more than 70 people and causing fires at key energy sites, officials said. The assaults targeted the cities of Abha, Jazan, Najran, and Khamis Mushait, areas close to the Yemen border, marking a significant escalation in the longstanding conflict between the Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition.
Saudi authorities confirmed that the attacks injured civilians, including women and children, and temporarily disrupted operations at several oil and utility installations. The southern region hosts critical infrastructure such as the Jazan refinery, one of Saudi Arabia’s largest, with a capacity to process approximately 400,000 barrels of crude per day. Fires were reported at energy facilities including gas and oil-storage sites and a power plant in Abha. Emergency teams were deployed to contain the blazes and evaluate the damage, although the full extent of operational impact and production losses has yet to be detailed by Saudi officials.
The Houthi military spokesman, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, claimed responsibility for the attacks, stating that the group fired dozens of ballistic missiles and drones targeting industrial, logistical, and military sites deep within Saudi territory. He identified key targets including the Jazan City for Primary and Downstream Industries, Aramco facilities in Najran and Abha, and King Khalid Air Base in Khamis Mushait. Saree also accused Saudi Arabia of escalating the conflict by launching air strikes in Yemen’s northern province of Jawf, which reportedly caused casualties including the death of a child.
The Saudi-led coalition, fighting to restore Yemen’s internationally recognized government after the Houthis seized the capital Sanaa in 2014, condemned the attacks and vowed a firm military response. Major General Turki al-Malki, coalition spokesperson, described the Houthi group as a “terrorist militia” and affirmed that necessary operational measures would be taken to deter further aggression. The Saudi Foreign Ministry emphasized the kingdom’s intent to defend its sovereignty and demanded the cessation of Houthi strikes on Saudi territory and shipping lanes in the Red Sea.
The renewed violence comes amid heightened regional tensions linked to the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict, which has disrupted energy flows through strategic waterways such as the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has recently threatened to enforce a maritime exclusion zone extending through the Persian Gulf in response to U.S. naval actions, raising concerns about further complications to global energy supplies. In this context, Houthi attacks on Saudi oil facilities and routes near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait add pressure to global crude markets already strained by conflicts and blockades.
Energy markets reacted to the escalation with Brent crude prices surging above $99 per barrel, reflecting anxiety over potential disruptions. Analysts note that the strikes place Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in a challenging position as he balances an intent to reduce involvement in Yemen against the need to respond decisively to Houthi provocations.
The Yemen civil war has resulted in over 150,000 deaths and widespread humanitarian crises. The latest attacks highlight how the conflict, fueled by regional proxy dynamics and the broader U.S.-Iran confrontation, continues to threaten stability in the Middle East and the global energy landscape.