Houthis Attack Saudi Airbase Amid Escalating Mideast Tensions
The Iran-aligned Houthis launched a surprise attack on Saudi Arabia's southern military airbase in Khamis Mushait, firing dozens of missiles and drones at aircraft hangars, radar systems, runways, and ammunition depots. The Houthis described the attack as retaliation for hundreds of Saudi airstrikes on Yemen in recent days.
The attack has further jeopardized global oil supplies, with crude oil prices rising over 4% to above $109 a barrel. The average retail price of diesel in the United States hit a new all-time high of more than $6.23 a gallon.
Riyadh announced emergency alerts in several southern cities and attributed the attack to Iran-backed fighters in Iraq, which knocked out Saudi Arabia's East-West Pipeline on Friday. The pipeline is the main route for West Asian oil bypassing the blockaded Strait of Hormuz, with a shutdown potentially cutting off 4% of global oil supply.