Riyad
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis launched a fresh wave of missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia while strengthening their positions along Yemen’s western Red Sea coast, Yemeni officials said, as Riyadh held urgent deliberations over its response to the group’s rapid advance.
The Houthis said on Monday that they fired dozens of missiles and drones at a military airbase in Khamis Mushait in southern Saudi Arabia. They claimed to have targeted aircraft hangars, radar systems, runways and ammunition depots in retaliation for Saudi airstrikes in Yemen.
Saudi authorities issued emergency alerts in Khamis Mushait and three other southern cities. The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said 13 civilians were wounded in the attacks.
The escalation comes as the Houthis have expanded their presence along the Red Sea. Their recent advances include the capture of Perim Island at the entrance to the strategic waterway. Yemeni officials said the group also maintains effective control over almost the entire western coastline.
Saudi and Yemeni air forces have intensified strikes on Houthi positions, including areas around the historic Red Sea port of Mocha. However, the bombardment has not halted the group’s advance.
The developments have added pressure on Saudi Arabia’s oil infrastructure after an attack on Thursday knocked its 1,200-kilometre east-west pipeline offline. Riyadh blamed Iranian-backed militias in Iraq for that attack.
Traders warned that a prolonged pipeline shutdown could remove up to 4% of global oil supply while the Strait of Hormuz remains largely blockaded. Crude prices rose more than 4% before settling around 1% higher on Monday.