Houthis Target Saudi Oil Facilities Amid Escalating Tensions with Riyadh

The Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have launched missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia's oil facilities, escalating tensions between regional allies of the United States and Iran. The attacks targeted sites operated by Aramco in Jizan and Yanbu, with a video statement from military spokesman Yahya Saree threatening to expand the group's response if attacked by the Gulf monarchy.

The Saudi civil defense issued warnings for Jizan and Yanbu, while a surface-to-air battery operated by Greek personnel downed two ballistic missiles and later a drone targeting Yanbu on Saturday morning. The Houthi rebels have been at war with the internationally recognized, Saudi-backed government since 2015, in a devastating conflict that has killed hundreds of thousands and triggered a major humanitarian crisis.

The threat to shipping comes amid a maritime blockade announced by the Houthis earlier this week, hitting Saudi tankers in the Red Sea. This move is parallel to Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which has become the central flash point between Tehran and Washington amid renewed hostilities between the two sides.