Saudi Arabia Threatens Retaliation as Houthi Missile Attacks Escalate

Saudi Arabia has vowed to respond to a wave of missile attacks from Yemen's Houthi rebels, which have set oil facilities ablaze and wounded dozens. The overnight strikes caused 'temporary' shutdowns at oil sites and left 73 injured, according to Saudi authorities.

The attacks are the heaviest in years from the Iran-backed Houthis, who have been fighting against Saudi forces across the southern border of Saudi Arabia. The clashes between the Houthi rebels and Saudi-backed government forces around the Bab al-Mandab Strait have resulted in hundreds of deaths over the past few days.

The Houthi attacks on energy facilities are likely to increase upward pressure on oil prices, which have spiked since Iran blockaded the Strait of Hormuz. The Saudi foreign ministry has demanded a halt to the Houthi strikes and their attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, stating that 'Saudi Arabia would take all necessary measures to defend its sovereignty.'

The Houthis fired dozens of ballistic missiles, targeting Abha International Airport, King Khalid air base, and facilities belonging to state oil giant Aramco. Jizan, a coastal city with one of the country's biggest oil refineries, was out of action for several weeks until at least August 20 due to Houthi attacks.