RIYADH / DUBAI — Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi forces struck southern Saudi Arabia early Tuesday, wounding 73 people including women and children and disrupting energy facilities, Saudi authorities said. The Saudi-led coalition said attacks hit civilian and economic sites in Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan, and Najran.
Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry said fires erupted at facilities and that operations at some energy sites were temporarily suspended while emergency teams contained blazes and assessed damage. Brent crude rose about $1 to $98 a barrel after the ministry’s statement, Reuters reported; U.S. crude futures climbed more than $2 to $93.65.
Coalition spokesperson Maj. Gen. Turki al-Malki called the escalation “dangerous†and vowed a firm response. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the group had targeted Aramco facilities and an air base with ballistic missiles and drones. The flare-up comes as U.S.-Iran tensions and wider Middle East fighting have pushed oil markets higher.
The Houthis control much of northern Yemen and have launched attacks toward Saudi Arabia since declaring a naval blockade against Riyadh in July. Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces have also pressed offensives on multiple fronts in recent days.
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