Houthis Report Saudi Reprisals Following Strikes on Oil Facilities

Yemen's Houthis reported that Saudi Arabia launched a series of strikes on Taiz and Marib provinces after the rebel group targeted Saudi oil facilities and infrastructure. The Houthi attack, involving dozens of ballistic missiles, hit Abha International Airport, King Khalid air base, and facilities belonging to state oil giant Aramco in Abha and Jizan, causing fires, injuring 73 people, and forcing temporary operational shutdowns at several energy sector installations. Saudi authorities did not immediately comment on the reported retaliatory strikes.

The military escalation followed accusations by the Houthis that Riyadh carried out an attack on a prison, which killed 11 people and left 20 inmates missing. Hostilities had already reignited after a four-year truce unravelled in July when the Houthis allowed an Iranian aircraft to land in defiance of Saudi control over Yemeni airspace, prompting government strikes on the airport.

During a joint press conference in Moscow, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan stated that diplomatic solutions remained open, but emphasized that the kingdom would not hesitate to defend itself and protect its interests. The Houthi strikes on oil infrastructure and tankers continue to pile pressure on the world's top oil exporter, with oil prices leaping towards US$100 a barrel on Tuesday.