by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA (Worthy News) – Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen launched a major wave of ballistic missile and drone attacks against energy and military targets across southern Saudi Arabia Tuesday, setting fires at oil facilities, temporarily halting operations and wounding at least 73 people.
The attacks struck areas around Jazan, Najran, Abha and Khamis Mushait, with the Houthis claiming they targeted Saudi Aramco facilities and King Khalid Air Base. The Wall Street Journal reported that the major Jazan refinery was left burning and offline, further threatening energy supplies at a time when Middle East oil flows are already under severe pressure.
Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry said emergency crews were battling fires and assessing damage while authorities worked to restore operations. Saudi officials described the assault as a “dangerous escalation,” and the Saudi-led coalition vowed to take military measures to deter further Houthi attacks.
The escalation immediately rattled global energy markets. Brent crude climbed toward $100 a barrel, as traders weighed the growing danger to Saudi oil infrastructure alongside continuing disruptions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea shipping routes.
The latest strikes underscore the expanding regional reach of Iran’s proxy network. The Houthis have renewed attacks against Saudi Arabia after years of relative calm, creating another flashpoint along critical energy and shipping corridors stretching from the Persian Gulf to the Bab el-Mandeb.
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