Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi forces claimed on Monday that they targeted sensitive Saudi crude oil supply and transport sites. These critical facilities link eastern Saudi Arabia to Yanbu a major Red Sea oil export hub.
Saudi state oil giant Aramco has not yet responded to requests for comment.
According to Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree, the operation was a direct retaliation against alleged Saudi drone incursions into Yemeni airspace.
This development comes as Saudi Arabia increasingly relies on Yanbu. The kingdom recently rerouted its crude output via its east-west pipeline to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, where shipping has faced Iranian attacks following the outbreak of war between Iran and the U.S. and Israel in February.
The conflict is posing a severe threat to global energy markets. Last week Houthis threatened to blockade Saudi Arabia's oil industry in the Red Sea. The threat of disrupting a second major global waterway has already caused a surge in international oil prices.
In response to the escalating threats, Saudi Arabia launched airstrikes on suspected Houthi military facilities in Yemen's Hodeidah port and vowing to protect international shipping routes.
