Houthis Claim Strike on Major Saudi Oil Facility as Yemen Fighting Intensifies

Fighting in Yemen has intensified between the Houthi group and Saudi-backed government forces, with both sides claiming significant attacks.

The Houthis said they struck a major oil facility near Riyadh with ballistic missiles and drones, causing fires at the targeted sites. The group's spokesman, Yahya Saree, claimed the attack was in retaliation for Saudi air strikes on Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, including Sanaa, where about 60 air attacks had been carried out over the previous 24 hours.

Saudi-backed government forces confirmed air strikes on Sanaa and Saada, while fighting also intensified around Taiz, where Houthis launched coordinated attacks against government positions along a roughly 15-kilometre front. Shelling killed a 14-day-old baby in a residential area of Dhubab, according to Al Jazeera.

The US has maintained its blockade around the Strait of Hormuz as 'ironclad', with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warning that President Donald Trump retains options if Tehran does not change course. Iran's rial fell to a fresh low near 2.7 million per dollar on the free market, and Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said Moscow is prepared to mediate between Washington and Tehran.