Houthis Launch Major Attack on Saudi Arabia, Escalating Regional Conflict

Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen launched a major attack on southwestern Saudi Arabia early Tuesday, targeting oil and other infrastructure. The assault marked a dramatic escalation in the Saudi-Houthi conflict, which flared up again in July.

The Saudi Energy Ministry said the attacks had caused fires at several facilities in the southern region, temporarily halting some operations. At least 73 people, including women and children, were wounded, according to Major General Turki Al-Maliki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led Coalition Forces.

The Houthi military stated that the attacks were in response to over 100 Saudi airstrikes in Yemen over the past three days, which they claimed had killed many people. The Houthi forces targeted 'civilian and economic sites' in the cities of Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan, and Najran.

The Joint Forces Command of the Coalition vowed to 'resolutely confront (the Houthis) hostile approach.' Saudi diplomats had notified US lawmakers in August of a breakdown in political channels with the Houthis and the rebels' plans to escalate against the kingdom, and sought Washington's backing to push back. The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated that 'the US has a very strong defensive military relationship with Saudi Arabia.'