Yemen’s Iran‑backed Houthi rebels launched a coordinated missile and drone barrage against Saudi Arabia’s oil infrastructure on Saturday, marking a dangerous escalation in the broader Middle‑East conflict.
Coordinated strikes on key refineries
Video footage released by the group shows smoke rising from the Aramco refinery in Jizan, while another attack targeted the Yanbu processing plant on the Red Sea coast. Military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed the strikes were retaliation for recent Saudi air raids on Houthi positions.
Regional reactions and air defenses
Saudi civil defense issued alerts for Jizan and Yanbu, and a Greek‑operated air‑defence battery intercepted two ballistic missiles and a drone aimed at Yanbu. “We will protect our critical infrastructure,” a Saudi official said.
International implications
The attacks raise fears of a wider spillover, with the United States warning that any further strikes on Saudi oil could trigger a broader response. “Stability in the global oil market is paramount,” a State Department spokesperson noted.
Human impact
Local residents near Jizan reported hearing “loud thunder” and seeing “flames licking the sky.” “We fear for our families,” said 34‑year‑old mother Fatima Al‑Harthi.
“This is a new front in the war that threatens regional stability,” said regional analyst Omar Al‑Saeed.