Houthis Threaten World's Largest Oil Facility Amid Escalating Attacks

The Iran-backed Houthi rebels have escalated their attacks on Saudi Arabia's oil infrastructure, putting the world's largest oil processing plant and a vast pipeline at risk.

The Houthis control the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, which is a key waterway for oil shipments. The strait is narrower than the Strait of Hormuz and cannot be easily defended against attacks.

Saudi Arabia has rerouted most of its crude exports through this strait, but the Houthi attacks have already caused a significant drop in exports to about 2.5 million barrels per day last month, down from 4.6 million barrels per day in July.