Houthis Launch Missile Attack on Saudi Oil Installations

The Houthi rebels in Yemen fired missiles at Saudi oil installations on the Red Sea coast, targeting facilities owned by Aramco. The attack occurred on Saturday and was met with airstrikes from the Saudi-backed government's air force.

The Houthis had warned that all Saudi oil facilities would be targets if Riyadh escalated its involvement in the conflict. Two Asia-based trading sources confirmed that there was potential damage to fuel and oil storage sites at Jizan.

Saudi Arabia, which has led an Arab coalition battling against the Houthis for over a decade, said it would continue to take necessary measures to protect its ships and interests. The US President had previously vowed 'major military punishment' for Tehran and the Houthis after they struck two Saudi tankers in the Red Sea on Thursday.

The Houthi-run foreign ministry stated that Friday's strikes marked the start of a phase of 'escalation for escalation', and held Saudi Arabia responsible for any resulting developments. The port of Hodeidah, which is controlled by the Houthis, has become a key concern as the conflict escalates.