Saudi retaliates with strikes after Houthi attacks on oil facilities

Saudi Arabia launched air strikes on Tuesday in retaliation after the Houthi movement attacked oil facilities, wounding dozens of workers, the coalition said. The strikes marked a rapid escalation in hostilities that resumed this week when Houthi forces advanced toward the strategic Bab al‑Mandab chokepoint at the southern entrance to the Red Sea, a critical artery for global shipping. Saudi officials described the response as a necessary measure to protect vital energy infrastructure and to deter further Houthi aggression in the region.

The renewed fighting follows the collapse of a four‑year cease‑fire between the Houthis and the Saudi‑backed Yemeni government, which unraveled in July. Since then, intermittent clashes have flared, but the latest offensive and counter‑offensive have intensified the conflict, raising concerns about broader disruption to maritime traffic and regional stability. Both sides have warned that further attacks could continue as the stalemate deepens.