Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels said they attacked an oil facility in southwestern Saudi Arabia on Sunday, marking the latest escalation in a series of strikes targeting the kingdom amid growing tensions across the Middle East.
The attack came as Iran raised new demands linked to the possible resumption of negotiations and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. At the same time, the Pentagon is pushing the US defence industry to speed up weapons production as regional tensions continue to mount.
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Houthis Claim Drone Attack On Aramco Facility
Yahya Saree, a military spokesperson for the Houthis, said the group targeted an Aramco refinery in Jazan with a drone., reported AP. According to him, the strike was carried out in response to Saudi drones allegedly entering Yemen's airspace over the provinces of Hajjah and Saada.
Saudi Arabia's Energy Ministry reported a fire at a facility belonging to Aramco early Sunday. It said the fire was brought under control and that there were no casualties, but did not provide details on what caused the blaze.
The Houthi attack is the latest in a series of missile and drone strikes targeting Saudi Arabia and shipping routes in and around the Red Sea.
Mocha Port Also Targeted
The escalation was not limited to Saudi Arabia. A Yemeni government official said the Houthis also launched missiles and drones at the Mocha port on Yemen's Red Sea coast.
Fayed al-Noman, assistant undersecretary of the information ministry, said the attack targeted the strategically important port, which is controlled by Yemen's internationally recognised government. The port has been renovated in recent years to accommodate shipping seeking to avoid Houthi-controlled ports in Hodeida.
There was no immediate comment from the Houthis regarding the reported attack on Mocha, according to AP.
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Fresh Risk To Yemen Truce
The latest strikes have raised concerns that the escalation could once again push Yemen towards wider conflict.
A truce in 2022 brought an end to major fighting in the poverty-stricken country, but tensions remain high. The recent attacks on Saudi soil and key Red Sea shipping infrastructure risk reigniting Yemen's civil war and adding another dimension of uncertainty to an already volatile Middle East.
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