Houthi Strikes on Saudi Energy Sites Injure 73, Disrupt Operations
Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia's southern cities wounded 73 and forced a halt to some energy operations, authorities said.
Saudi authorities said on Tuesday that operations at several energy facilities in the south of the kingdom were suspended following a wave of attacks by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement. The strikes wounded more than 70 people and sparked fires at the targeted sites, prompting emergency crews to be dispatched to contain the blazes and evaluate the damage.
The Saudi energy ministry confirmed the disruption, stating that the relevant authorities were managing the fallout of the attacks. It added that necessary steps would be taken to safeguard the facilities and workers, and to maintain operations according to approved plans.
The Saudi-led coalition, which has been fighting the Houthis in Yemen, reported that at least 73 people were injured in the assaults on the southern cities of Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan, and Najran. In a strongly worded response, coalition spokesman Colonel Turki al-Malki vowed to take all necessary operational measures against what he described as a "terrorist militia," calling the escalation against the world's top oil exporter "dangerous."
The Houthis, who control large parts of northern Yemen, have intensified cross-border attacks since declaring a naval blockade against Riyadh in July, with strikes targeting Saudi vessels in the Red Sea. Reports on Monday suggested that Aramco's Jazan oil facilities had been hit, though this could not be independently verified at the time.