- Houthis claim attack on Saudi Aramco facilities.
- Targets included Riyadh and Khurais oil sites.
- Spokesman confirms successful strikes, causing large fires.
In a major escalation in the Middle East, Yemen's Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed on Sunday that the group launched a ballistic missile and drone attack on Saudi energy giant Aramco's sites in the capital Riyadh and the oil-rich Khurais area in the kingdom's east.
"Both operations successfully achieved their objectives," the spokesman said in a statement posted on X. "The strikes were precise, causing large fires at the targeted sites."
Second attack in less than 24 hours
The attack came in less than 24 hours after the extremist group attacked Riyadh with ballistic missiles and drones. They said that attacks were in retaliation for Saudi attacks on Yemen's Sanaa and other provinces.
The Houthis said last week they had attacked Saudi Aramco facilities in Yanbu with missiles and drones. Saudi Arabia said at the time that it had intercepted six ballistic missiles fired by the Houthis towards Taif and the Yanbu area, but did not report damage to Aramco facilities.
Yemeni and Saudi forces launch counteroffensive against Houthis
Meanwhile, Yemeni government forces backed by Saudi Arabia launched a counteroffensive against the Houthis in an effort to win back territory from the rebel group. The fresh announcement was made by the head of Yemen's presidential council in a speech.
We have exhausted all opportunities for de-escalation with the Houthi militias,” Axios quoted Al-Alimi as saying.
The military campaign comes amid growing concerns over Houthi control of parts of Yemen's Red Sea coastline. The group's presence near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait has given the Houthis significant strategic leverage over shipping routes connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.
Why Bab al-Mandeb Matters
The Bab al-Mandeb Strait is one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints. Ships travelling between Europe and Asia through the Suez Canal must pass through the Red Sea and the strait, making it crucial to global trade and energy supplies.
ALSO READ: WATCH: Massive Smoke, Fire Seen Near Aramco Facility In Riyadh Amid Escalating Houthi Attacks
For Saudi Arabia, the waterway also has particular importance because disruptions could affect the movement of oil and other exports through the Red Sea.
The Houthis' territorial presence near the strait has therefore raised concerns in Riyadh and among its international partners. Their alliance with Iran has further complicated the situation, giving Tehran an indirect source of influence over a major global shipping route.