Houthis Attack Saudi Oil Refinery; Riyadh Conducts Counter-Strikes
The attack on an Aramco facility south of Riyadh exacerbates global energy price concerns as the conflict in Yemen intensifies.
Thick black smoke and flames erupted around an oil refinery in the Saudi capital on Saturday following a fresh attack by Houthi rebels, intensifying fears of escalating global oil prices. The refinery, belonging to state-owned oil giant Aramco, is located south of Riyadh.
Hours after the facility was struck, the Saudi military launched counter-strikes on the Iran-backed Houthi group in Yemen. Details on the specific targets or casualties of the Saudi strikes were not immediately available.
Experts suggest this latest incident could drive another spike in global energy prices, which have already seen significant increases. Petrol, diesel, and natural gas prices have risen considerably in recent months.
The Houthi strike occurred just a day after the G7 nations announced plans to release 100 million barrels of diesel and crude oil reserves to ease surging fuel prices amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
In response to the refinery attack, Houthi-affiliated Al-Masirah TV reported dozens of strikes on Yemen's capital, Sanaa, on Saturday. Eyewitnesses in Sanaa reported hearing loud explosions and seeing warplanes firing missiles. The channel also reported missile strikes on the telecommunications network in Saada, a Houthi stronghold.
This exchange of attacks follows a recent escalation in the conflict in Yemen. The Houthis seized control of Yemen's Red Sea coast and the Bab al-Mandab strait, prompting retaliatory strikes from Saudi Arabia on Sanaa. The renewed fighting has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, with aid organizations warning of widespread food insecurity.
The conflict in Yemen involves the Iran-backed Houthis, who control much of the northwest, and the internationally recognized government, which is based in Aden and controls the south and east. Hostilities reignited in July after years of a fragile truce, following a Houthi delegation's flight to Sanaa without Saudi authorization, which led to Saudi airstrikes on the airport and subsequent Houthi attacks on Saudi territory.
Fighting has intensified in recent days, particularly around Taiz, where combatants from both sides have reported significant casualties. The Houthis have advanced in coastal areas but have not yet taken control of Taiz city.
Saudi authorities reported a Houthi projectile damaged a school in Najran, near the Yemen border, while the Houthis claimed Saudi Arabia conducted 94 strikes in areas under their control in the 24 hours prior to Saturday's refinery attack.
Reports also indicate that Riyadh has requested assistance from the United States, though the Trump administration has reportedly rebuffed such requests. Top cabinet members in the administration met recently to discuss Yemen and the conflict with Iran.