Riyadh, Sept 9:
Houthi attacks on southern Saudi Arabia wounded 73 people and triggered fires at oil facilities and other economic infrastructure, in a major escalation that threatens to further destabilise the Middle East and global energy markets.
The Iran-backed Yemeni group launched a wave of missile and drone attacks on several Saudi cities, including Abha, Jazan, Najran and Khamis Mushait. Saudi authorities said 73 people were injured, including women and children.
The attacks also caused fires at energy facilities, including infrastructure linked to Saudi Aramco. Operations at some facilities were temporarily halted as emergency teams worked to contain the damage.
The Houthis said the attacks were carried out in response to Saudi military action in Yemen. Saudi Arabia condemned the strikes and warned that it would respond.
The escalation follows renewed fighting in the region after a period of relative calm in the Yemen conflict. It has raised fresh concerns over the security of Saudi Arabia’s energy infrastructure and the possible impact on global oil supplies.
The attacks come at a particularly sensitive time for energy markets, with any prolonged disruption to facilities in the world’s largest oil-exporting country carrying the potential to push up crude prices and increase volatility.