Houthi strikes on Saudi oil facilities injure dozens as regional war intensifies

Attacks on four cities mark major escalation, with global oil prices rising

edit

By LineZotpaper

Published9 September 2026

Read Time2 min

Yemen's Houthi movement launched strikes on four Saudi Arabian cities on Tuesday, setting fire to oil facilities and injuring more than 70 people, including women and children, as the war in the Middle East enters its sixth month.

The Iran-backed Houthis, who control most of Yemen's populated areas including the capital Sanaa, said they had deployed drones and missiles to strike a Saudi air-base in Khamis Mushait and targeted facilities belonging to state oil giant Saudi Aramco in Abha, Najran and Jazan.

Saudi authorities confirmed 73 people were hurt, among them women and children. NASA satellite images showed a thick cloud of black smoke over the Jazan refinery and a column of white smoke rising from an oil distribution centre in Abha.

The attacks appear to be among the largest carried out against Saudi Arabia since the United States and Israel launched their war against Iran in February, according to reports. The Houthi operation targeted facilities connected to an alternative route to the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab el-Mandeb, a strategic waterway off the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula.

Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree accused Riyadh of escalating the war by launching air strikes on Yemen, saying the Houthis would respond. Saudi-led coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki said the coalition "will take all necessary operational measures to deter this terrorist militia and resolutely confront its hostile approach."

Houthi-controlled media later reported that Saudi war-planes had carried out four air-strikes in Yemen's Jubah district east of Sanaa. The International Organization for Migration said more than 18,500 people had fled their homes because of fighting along Yemen's west coast over the past three days.

The renewed fighting has the potential to worsen the war's global economic impact by disrupting oil supplies. Global oil prices rose in response to the attacks.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure threaten to disrupt global energy markets and drive up oil prices, affecting consumers worldwide.
The strike on Bab el-Mandeb strait facilities highlights the vulnerability of critical chokepoints in an already volatile region.
The escalation risks drawing Saudi Arabia deeper into the US-Israel-Iran conflict, potentially expanding the war beyond Yemen.

Background

The Houthi movement has been fighting a Saudi-led coalition in Yemen since 2015, controlling Sanaa and much of the populated north. The current escalation follows the February 2026 US-Israel offensive against Iran, which has broadened the Middle East conflict. Tuesday's strikes targeted infrastructure connected to alternative oil shipping routes, suggesting a strategic shift toward disrupting global supply chains.

Key Perspectives

Houthis: Framed the strikes as retaliation for Saudi air raids on Yemen, with spokesperson Yahya Saree accusing Riyadh of escalation and pledging further response. Saudi-led coalition: Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki vowed to deter what he called a "terrorist militia" and defend Saudi territory, but did not outline specific military steps. Civilians and humanitarian actors: The International Organization for Migration reports 18,500 displaced in three days, highlighting the human cost. Saudi casualties include women and children.

What to Watch

Whether Saudi Arabia conducts retaliatory strikes on Houthi-held areas, potentially leading to a cycle of escalation.
Movement in global oil prices and any statements from OPEC or major producers about supply security.
International diplomatic response, particularly from US and Gulf states, and any impact on the broader US-Israel-Iran war.

Sources

Dozens injured as Yemen's Houthis launch strikes on Saudi oil facilities — Just In