73 People Reportedly Injured as Missile and Drone Strikes Target Southern Saudi Arabia, Including Aramco Facilities
Summary
Saudi Arabia has vowed to respond after Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement launched a series of missile and drone attacks against cities and energy facilities in the kingdom’s south.
Saudi authorities said the attacks struck civilian and economic sites in Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jizan and Najran, leaving at least 73 people injured, including women and children. Several energy facilities were also hit, causing fires and temporary interruptions to operations.
Houthis Launch Coordinated Attacks
The Houthis said they carried out a large-scale operation using dozens of ballistic missiles and drones.
The group claimed it targeted facilities belonging to Saudi oil giant Aramco in Abha, Najran and Jizan, along with the King Khalid Air Base in Khamis Mushait. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the attacks were carried out in response to recent Saudi-led strikes against Houthi positions in Yemen.
The Houthis also threatened to continue launching attacks deeper inside Saudi Arabia if Saudi military operations against them continue.
73 People Reportedly Injured
Saudi authorities said the attacks caused injuries of varying severity to 73 people, including women and children.
The Saudi-led coalition described the strikes as a dangerous escalation and accused the Houthis of deliberately targeting civilians and critical infrastructure.
The latest attacks represent a significant escalation after years of reduced fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis.
Energy Facilities Temporarily Halt Operations
Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry confirmed that several energy-sector facilities and installations were struck.
Fires broke out at multiple locations, forcing some operations to be temporarily suspended. The exact scale of the damage to Saudi oil production and refining capacity remains under assessment.
The attacks are particularly significant because Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s largest oil producers, meaning prolonged disruption could affect international energy markets.
Jizan Refinery Among Key Targets
One of the facilities reportedly affected was Saudi Aramco’s refinery complex in Jizan, which has a processing capacity of around 400,000 barrels per day.
The facility has been targeted previously, and any prolonged disruption could further tighten global oil supplies at a time when energy markets are already facing major uncertainty because of the wider conflict in the Middle East.
Oil prices moved sharply higher following the attacks, with Brent crude approaching $100 a barrel.
Riyadh Promises a Firm Response
Saudi officials have warned that the kingdom will not allow the attacks to continue without retaliation.
The Saudi-led coalition said it would take all necessary operational measures to confront the threat and target its sources. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan also said the kingdom would not hesitate to defend itself.
The response could increase the intensity of Saudi military operations against Houthi positions inside Yemen.
Yemen Conflict Enters a Dangerous Phase
The latest escalation comes as fighting between the Houthis and Saudi-backed Yemeni forces has intensified.
The internationally recognized Yemeni government has launched a counteroffensive against Houthi-controlled territory, while the Houthis have responded with attacks against Saudi targets.
The renewed fighting represents the most serious escalation since a UN-backed truce brought a major reduction in fighting in 2022.
Wider Middle East Crisis Raises Stakes
The Saudi-Houthi escalation is taking place alongside the broader conflict involving the United States and Iran.
The situation is particularly sensitive because the Houthis have also targeted shipping in and around the Red Sea, while the Strait of Hormuz remains severely disrupted.
Any further attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure could therefore have consequences well beyond the region, potentially affecting global oil prices, shipping and supply chains.
Conclusion
Saudi Arabia has vowed to respond after Houthi missile and drone attacks struck several southern cities and energy facilities, reportedly injuring 73 people and forcing temporary shutdowns at some sites.
The Houthis say their attacks were retaliation for Saudi-led strikes in Yemen, while Riyadh has described the assault as a dangerous escalation and pledged to confront the threat.
With fighting intensifying in Yemen and the wider Middle East already facing severe military and energy disruptions, further Saudi-Houthi retaliation could push the region into an even more dangerous phase.