Houthis retaliate after striking Saudi Arabia, pushing energy sites toward full-scale war

The Houthis and Saudi Arabia are exchanging attacks at a scale approaching full-scale war around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key maritime passage at the entrance to the Red Sea.

On June 8, the Houthis launched ballistic missiles and drones at four southern Saudi cities: Khamis Mushait, Abha, Najran and Jizan. The targets included Aramco refineries and energy facilities, as well as an air base. Saudi authorities said 73 people, including women and children, were injured, while fires broke out at some oil facilities.

Satellite data from NASA also detected smoke around energy facilities in Jizan and Abha. The Houthis said the attacks were retaliation for Saudi airstrikes in Yemen.

Saudi Arabia responded immediately. Saudi-led coalition fighter jets struck areas around Sanaa, Yemen’s capital, and Taiz, which are controlled by the Houthis, according to the report.

The fighting has added pressure to global energy and shipping concerns. Oil transport through the Strait of Hormuz has already been disrupted by the war between the United States and Iran, while the widening confrontation threatens another major sea route. International oil prices were approaching $100 a barrel.