Houthis Launch Major Attack on Saudi Arabia's Oil Infrastructure
The Houthi rebels in Yemen, backed by Iran, launched a major attack on southwestern Saudi Arabia early Tuesday, targeting oil and other infrastructure. The attacks caused fires at several facilities in the southern region, temporarily halting some operations.
Saudi-led forces vowed a resolute response, saying dozens of civilians had been injured. The Saudi Energy Ministry reported that the attacks also damaged civilian and economic sites in the cities of Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan, and Najran.
The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated that 'the US has a very strong defensive military relationship with Saudi Arabia, and we're watching those events very closely.' The conflict is seen as an escalation of the Saudi-Houthi conflict, which flared up again in July after the US-Iran ceasefire unraveled.
The attacks drew swift condemnation from regional allies, including Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, and Turkey. The European Union also condemned the attacks, calling on the Houthis to cease attacks inside and outside Yemen.