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🇶🇦 Qatar /Conflict & Security

Houthis strike Saudi oil facilities, escalating regional conflict

From Al Jazeera · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Houthi forces in Yemen launched missiles and drones at two major Saudi oil facilities, escalating regional conflict.
  • This follows a period of relative quiet after recent US strikes on Iran and Iranian actions in the Strait of Hormuz.
  • The attacks raise concerns about global energy prices and food security, and reignite conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis.

Tehran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen have escalated regional conflict by firing missiles and drones at two strategically vital Saudi Arabian oil facilities on the Red Sea. The attacks targeted facilities belonging to Saudi state oil giant Aramco in the coastal cities of Jizan and Yanbu.

Iran had been pounded by 13 consecutive waves of overnight US air strikes since July 11, after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attacked tankers trying to transit the Strait of Hormuz.

— Al JazeeraProviding background on recent US-Iran hostilities.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for the strikes. While Saudi Arabia has not commented on the extent of damage to the Jizan refinery, a large plume of smoke was observed rising from the site. The attacks occurred after a period of relative calm, with no new US attacks on Iran reported for a second consecutive night, following waves of US air strikes since July 11.

These hostilities have reignited the conflict between US-allied Saudi Arabia and the Houthi movement, which controls much of northern Yemen. A truce agreed in 2022 had collapsed this month after an attack on Sanaa airport prompted the Houthis to fire ballistic missiles at Saudi Arabia. The Houthis subsequently declared a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia.

The truce collapsed this month after an attack on Sanaa airport to stop an Iranian plane landing provoked the Houthis to fire ballistic missiles at Saudi Arabia.

— Al JazeeraExplaining the breakdown of the previous truce.

The attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz by Iran have already impacted oil and fertilizer exports, contributing to soaring energy prices and increasing the risk of a global food security crisis. The renewed conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis further destabilizes the region and raises concerns about wider implications for global markets and humanitarian conditions.

In retaliation, Houthi forces launched Sunday’s attacks on facilities belonging to Saudi state oil giant Aramco in the coastal cities of Jizan and Yanbu, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said.

— Al JazeeraReporting on the Houthi claim of responsibility.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Al Jazeera in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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