Saudi Arabia strikes oil facility in Yemen capital Sanaa as Houthis up threats

Saudi Arabia launched airstrikes on a Houthi-held oil facility in Sanaa, escalating the conflict after a Houthi attack on Riyadh airport killed 13. The coalition confirmed strikes on three sites, while the Houthis threatened to target Saudi airports and oil infrastructure in retaliation. The conflict began last month after Houthi seizures along the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Saudi Arabia carried out airstrikes on Tuesday targeting a Houthi-held oil facility in the Yemeni capital Sanaa, marking a significant escalation in the rapidly intensifying conflict between the two sides. The Saudi-led coalition confirmed it struck a Yemeni oil company facility in Sanaa, as well as sites in Saada and Dhamar provinces, which it said were used to supply the Houthi war effort. The strikes came after the coalition warned civilians to stay away from an oil depot on Sanaa's outskirts. Witnesses reported explosions, and footage showed a large oil fire burning in al-Subaha, west of the capital. The Houthis responded by threatening to target Riyadh's international airport, a refinery, and an Aramco facility in Dammam if the strikes continued. The attack follows a devastating Houthi barrage on Saturday that killed at least 13 people and wounded over 300 at Riyadh airport, raising questions about Saudi air defense failures. The Saudi cabinet, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, warned the Houthis would face consequences for their repeated attacks. The latest conflict began last month after the Houthis seized key areas along the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical waterway for Gulf oil transport. Turkey and Pakistan have a mutual defense pact with Saudi Arabia, and Egypt called for the Houthis to halt attacks.