The Yemeni theater witnessed renewed tensions on Saturday as Houthi rebels announced an attack on Saudi oil installations located in two ports along the Red Sea coast. This comes as Yemeni government forces and the Saudi-led coalition intensified military operations against the group.
Houthi military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, claimed the group targeted Aramco sites in the cities of Jazan and Yanbu. Meanwhile, two Asia-based trade sources indicated potential damage to some fuel and oil storage facilities in Jazan.
Conversely, Reuters reported that Yemeni government officials confirmed airstrikes targeting Houthi missile-launch and drone sites, as well as weapons depots, in the provinces of Marib and Al-Jawf.
The Saudi-led coalition also announced airstrikes on Houthi military locations in the city of Hodeidah on Friday, as part of ongoing operations against the group.
This escalation follows the Houthi announcement of a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia, with group leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi warning that Saudi oil facilities and other critical sites would be targeted by missiles and drones if Riyadh expands its involvement in the conflict.
These developments raise growing concerns about maritime security and global energy supplies. The escalation in the Red Sea threatens to further disrupt the oil market, which has seen a significant increase in prices recently, with Brent crude exceeding $100 per barrel for the first time since May.