Houthis Strike Saudi Oil Refineries in Red Sea Escalation

The Iran-backed Houthi group in Yemen fired missiles and drones at Saudi oil refineries on Saturday morning, escalating tensions between the two sides. The attacks targeted Aramco refineries in the Red Sea ports of Yanbu and Jizan, with security sources confirming that air defenses in Yanbu successfully intercepted two ballistic missiles fired from Yemen.

Saudi civil defense had earlier issued warnings for the two cities, while Houthi-affiliated media shared images and video purporting to show explosions and smoke at Jizan. Reuters verified video showing smoke rising near the Aramco refinery in Jizan, with two Asia-based trading sources confirming some damage at the site.

The attacks come as tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran continue to escalate, with the collapse of a US-Iran peace deal earlier this month bringing an end to four years of calm. The Houthi group has imposed a blockade on Saudi ports in response to an attack on Sanaa's airport, which was claimed by the Saudi-backed government.

The conflict in the Red Sea and potential disruption at the Bab al-Mandeb chokepoint could send shockwaves through global energy markets, already reeling from Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Prices have surpassed $100 a barrel, with the Houthi blockade stoking fresh fears about the world's oil supply.