Yemen’s Houthis launched coordinated missile and drone strikes on Saudi Arabia’s southern cities, wounding at least 73 people and igniting fires at oil facilities, prompting Riyadh to vow a “firm” response.
Houthi Strikes Ignite Fires, Wound 73 in Saudi Cities
The Houthis, an Iran-aligned group controlling much of Yemen, claimed responsibility for Tuesday’s attacks, which targeted oil infrastructure and civilian areas in Saudi Arabia’s southern region. According to the Saudi-led coalition, the strikes wounded 73 people, including women and children, and ignited blazes at major oil facilities, including a 400,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Jazan. The Energy Ministry reported temporary suspensions of operations at affected sites, while firefighters battled the fires into Tuesday morning.
Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, the Houthis’ military spokesman, stated the group fired dozens of ballistic missiles and drones
at economic and military targets, including Aramco facilities in Najran and Abha, as well as King Khalid Air Base in Khamis Mushait. Every aggression against our country and people will be met with a firm response,
he warned, citing Saudi airstrikes on Yemen as the catalyst for the assault.
Saudi Coalition Vows ‘All Necessary Operational Measures’
Saudi’s Joint Forces Command, representing the coalition backing Yemen’s government, condemned the attacks as a serious escalation
and a flagrant violation of the kingdom’s sovereignty.
Spokesperson Maj. Gen. Turki al-Maliki pledged to take all necessary operational measures to deter this… hostile and extremist approach.
The fighting has exacerbated disruptions caused by the U.S.-Iran war, which has already choked the Strait of Hormuz. The coalition will deal with these attacks responsibly and firmly to protect the sovereignty of the kingdom,
al-Maliki said, echoing statements from previous clashes.
Oil Prices Surge, Global Markets React
The attacks sent Brent crude prices above $99 a barrel, their highest level since July, as investors feared further supply disruptions. The U.S. has sought to stabilize markets by guiding ships through the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran has pledged to expand its maritime exclusion zone
to block U.S. influence.
The U.S. has also faced pressure to mediate, with Trump expressing openness to talks with Iran. The failing Nation of Iran wants to make a deal, quickly and badly,
he said on Truth Social.
Humanitarian Toll and Regional Escalation
The Houthis have also seized control of the Greater and Lesser Hanish islands, expanding their influence near the Bab al-Mandeb strait.
The fighting has deepened the broader U.S.-Iran standoff, with both sides exchanging missile and naval strikes. Iran recently unveiled new ballistic missiles capable of targeting U.S. ships, while the U.S. has intensified its blockade of Iranian oil exports. Economic warfare will be met by a maritime exclusion zone across the Persian Gulf,
Rezaei said, signaling a potential escalation in the region’s energy conflict.
What Comes Next: A Regional Crisis in Flux
The situation remains volatile, with both sides preparing for further escalation. The Houthis have vowed to continue and escalate
their attacks unless Saudi Arabia halts its operations in Yemen, while Riyadh has shown no sign of backing down. The U.S. faces mounting pressure to intervene, but Trump’s recent comments suggest a reluctance to engage directly. Meanwhile, global markets brace for potential oil shocks as the conflict threatens to spill into broader regional warfare.
For now, the focus remains on the humanitarian fallout and the precarious balance of power in the Red Sea. With the Bab al-Mandeb strait at the center of the crisis, the world watches as the conflict threatens to reshape the Middle East’s energy landscape. The time for committing crimes and massacres against the Yemeni people without response… has ended,
said Houthi media official Nasruddin Amer, underscoring the group’s defiant stance.