Houthis Attack Four Saudi Cities, 73 Wounded in Major Escalation

CAIRO/DUBAI — Iran-backed Houthi forces attacked four cities in southern Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, wounding 73 people and setting fires at energy facilities in what officials described as a major escalation of the expanding Middle East conflict. The attacks targeted the Saudi cities of Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran, according to Saudi authorities. Women and children were among those injured.

The strikes also affected energy-related infrastructure. Fires were reported at several sites, including facilities linked to Saudi oil giant Aramco, while some energy operations were temporarily disrupted. Saudi authorities said the attacks targeted civilian and economic sites and vowed to take measures to protect the kingdom’s security and sovereignty.

The Houthis, meanwhile, claimed responsibility for the attacks and said they had targeted Saudi energy infrastructure using drones and ballistic missiles. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the operation was carried out in response to recent Saudi attacks in Yemen. The escalation comes as tensions across the Middle East have intensified, threatening to draw additional regional actors into the conflict.

Oil prices surge

The attacks immediately affected global energy markets. Brent crude rose to around $98 a barrel on Tuesday, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude climbed above $93 a barrel. Brent had earlier approached the $100 mark, reaching its highest level since July 24.

Analysts are increasingly concerned that attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure and disruptions to major shipping routes could further tighten global oil supplies. Saudi Arabia is the world’s largest oil exporter, making any sustained disruption to its energy infrastructure a major concern for global markets.

Risk of wider regional escalation

The latest attacks add another dangerous dimension to the conflict. The Houthis control large parts of northern Yemen and have previously targeted shipping and regional infrastructure. The strategic importance of the Red Sea has increased as disruptions elsewhere in the region have affected traditional energy-export routes. Any prolonged attacks on Saudi energy facilities or shipping lanes could have consequences well beyond the Middle East.

Saudi officials have vowed a response, raising fears that the latest attacks could trigger another cycle of retaliation between Riyadh-backed forces and the Houthis.The escalation also comes amid heightened tensions involving Iran and the United States, increasing concerns that the conflict could spread across multiple fronts. For global energy markets, the key question now is whether the attacks remain limited or develop into a sustained campaign against Gulf oil infrastructure.