Houthis Launch Drone Strikes on Saudi Crude Oil Transport Facilities

Yemen's Houthi group claims to have launched drone strikes on facilities involved in transporting crude oil from eastern Saudi Arabia to the Red Sea port of Yanbu. The attacks are said to be in response to alleged Saudi drone incursions into Yemeni airspace.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea stated that the group targeted 'a number of sensitive sites and facilities' using multiple drones, but did not provide details on the locations or number of drones used.

The Houthi claim comes after Saudi Arabia said its air defenses intercepted and destroyed drones launched from Iraq targeting oil facilities in the kingdom's Eastern Province and the capital Riyadh. The drones were allegedly launched by Iran-backed armed groups operating in Iraq.

Yemen has been embroiled in conflict since late 2014, when the Houthis seized the capital Sanaa and much of northern Yemen, prompting a Saudi-led coalition to intervene in support of the internationally recognized Yemeni government.