Houthis Launch Wave of Attacks on Saudi Arabia

The Houthi rebel group in Yemen launched a wave of attacks on Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, wounding over 70 people and igniting fires at oil facilities and utilities in the kingdom. The attack was a major escalation in renewed fighting between an important U.S. ally and the Iranian proxy group.

Major General Turki al-Malki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition, said the attacks hit 'civilian and economic facilities' in several cities, including Abha, Jazan, Najran, and Khamis Mushait. He vowed retaliation and called the attacks a 'serious escalation.'

The Iranian-backed Houthis targeted major oil facilities, including a 400,000-barrel-per-day oil refinery in Jazan, which is one of Saudi Arabia's largest. Firefighters were battling the fires on Tuesday morning.

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan accused the Houthis of resorting to violence to serve their interests over those of Yemen, despite the Kingdom offering a chance to negotiate for peace.