Iran-backed Houthis attack Saudi cities, over 70 injured

Iran-backed Houthis have launched coordinated attacks on multiple cities in southern Saudi Arabia, injuring over 70 people and setting oil installations ablaze. The assaults, which included drone and missile strikes on military and energy targets, marked a significant escalation in the ongoing Middle East conflict. The attacks targeted locations including Khamis Mushait, Abha, Najran, and Jazan, key cities in the southwest of Saudi Arabia, home to critical oil infrastructure. According to reports, the Houthis claimed responsibility for the strikes, describing them as part of a broader operation deep into Saudi territory. They released images showing thick smoke and explosions, allegedly from Saudi vehicles hit in border regions. The attacks reportedly caused fires at oil facilities and disrupted operations, raising concerns about the potential impact on global energy supplies. Saudi authorities confirmed that women and children were among the injured, with 73 people hospitalized in total. The timing of the attacks coincided with renewed tensions in the Gulf. A month of relative calm had been interrupted by escalating hostilities, with Iran and the United States engaging in direct confrontations. This has sent global oil prices surging, with Brent crude reaching above $99 a barrel. The disruption of energy flows through key waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb, has intensified fears of prolonged economic fallout. The Saudi-led coalition, which has been engaged in a decade-long conflict with the Houthis in Yemen, responded swiftly. Colonel Turki al-Malki, the coalition’s spokesperson, stated that the group would take “all necessary operational measures to deter this terrorist militia and resolutely confront its hostile approach.” The coalition has long fought the Houthis, who control much of Yemen, including its capital, Sanaa. Recent clashes have seen both sides accuse each other of escalating violence. The Houthis, in turn, blamed Saudi Arabia for the escalation, accusing it of conducting air strikes on Yemeni territory. Their spokesperson, Yahya Saree, warned that the group would continue to retaliate. The attacks also coincide with the Houthis' ongoing blockade of Saudi shipping routes in the Red Sea, a move aimed at pressuring the kingdom economically and militarily. This strategy has drawn sharp criticism from regional allies, including Egypt, Jordan, and Qatar, which have condemned the attacks as violations of sovereignty and threats to regional stability. The conflict has become increasingly intertwined with the broader rivalry between the United States and Iran. Washington has taken steps to counter Iranian influence by increasing oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and imposing sanctions on Iranian exports. In response, Tehran has announced plans for a “maritime exclusion zone” extending from the U.S. blockade through the Persian Gulf, signaling a shift in its naval posture. Iranian officials have also claimed to have deployed advanced ballistic missiles in retaliation for U.S. strikes on Iranian tankers. The situation has also impacted local populations. The International Organization for Migration reported that over 18,500 people have fled their homes due to fighting along Yemen’s west coast. In Jizan, a major Red Sea port, residents face uncertainty as the conflict threatens both their safety and livelihoods. Meanwhile, satellite imagery from NASA showed thick plumes of smoke over the Jazan refinery and other oil sites, underscoring the scale of the damage. As the crisis unfolds, the focus remains on the immediate humanitarian and economic consequences. With oil prices climbing and regional tensions mounting, the outcome of these developments will likely shape the trajectory of the broader Middle East conflict for months to come.