Houthi attacks disrupt Saudi energy facilities, wound 73, authorities say

Houthi attacks disrupt Saudi energy facilities, wound 73, authorities say.

Key points

• ReutersNews Desk Published September 8, 2026 Updated September 8, 2026 12: 26pm.
• While US crude futures rose over $2 to $93.65 per barrel, brent crude futures rose $1 to $98 per barrel after the Saudi energy ministry statement.
• Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry strongly condemned the "terrorist Houthi militia's targeting of civilian and economic" sites in the southern cities of Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan, and Najran.
• Pakistan had condemned the Houthis' threats to Saudi Arabia and to trading with the kingdom via the Red Sea.
• The Yemeni threat to shipping and Saudi oil facilities comes in parallel with Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

ReutersNews Desk Published September 8, 2026 Updated September 8, 2026 12: 26pm. Join our Whatsapp Channel. Add Dawn as a trusted source.

Operations at some energy facilities in Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter, were halted on Tuesday after attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels that wounded 73 residents, in what Saudi authorities described as a dangerous escalation.

Meanwhile, the ministry remarked the attacks resulted in 73 civilians being injured, including women and children.

Fires erupted at the sites and a number of residents were injured as firefighting and other emergency teams rushed to contain the blazes and assess the damage, the Saudi energy ministry noted.

It continued that the authorities concerned were dealing with the repercussions of the attacks.

"The needed measures will be taken to ensure the safety of the facilities and workers and the continuation of work according to the approved operational plans, " remarked the ministry.

Notably, the Saudi foreign ministry remarked Riyadh would "take all necessary measures to defend its sovereignty".

As well as Houthi attacks on shipping, it additionally called on an "immediate halt to all forms of escalation practised by this militia".

In practice, the flare-up in violence between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis came as tensions mounted between the United States and Iran as the wider Middle East conflict sent oil rates soaring with diplomatic negotiations stalling.

On Monday, the Financial Times remarked Aramco's Jazan oil facilities were hit in new strikes, and the damage was being assessed. Reuters was not immediately able to verify the report and Aramco has not commented.

For context, the Houthi military spokesperson remarked the group will announce in the coming hours a broad operation deep into Saudi territory. Spokesperson Yahya Saree remarked on Monday that Riyadh had taken "escalatory steps" by conducting airstrikes on Yemen.

Notably, the Saudi-led coalition did not announce any recent strikes on Yemen, but the Yemeni administration has in recent days mounted an offensive on multiple fronts against the Houthis in Yemen.

For context, the coalition vowed to respond firmly to the latest outbreak of hostilities, saying the latest escalation against the de facto Opec leader was "dangerous".

"The coalition will take all necessary operational measures to deter this terrorist militia and resolutely confront its hostile approach, " Colonel Turki al-Malki remarked in an official note on X.

In practice, the Houthis, who control the most populous parts of Yemen and much of the north, have been launching attacks towards Saudi Arabia since they declared a naval blockade against Riyadh in July, with strikes targeting its vessels in the Red Sea.

Pakistan had condemned the Houthis' threats to Saudi Arabia and to trading with the kingdom via the Red Sea. It additionally cautioned that it had the right to self-defence if its "maritime interests" were targeted in "any hostile act".

In late July, Saudi Arabia unveiled intends for a multinational maritime defence coalition to protect shipping and energy supply routes in the Red Sea. Fourteen countries, including Pakistan, had voiced backing for the coalition.

Last month, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye additionally signed a joint defence agreement under which an attack against one of them would be treated as an attack against all of them.

Notably, the Yemeni threat to shipping and Saudi oil facilities comes in parallel with Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. It has become the central flashpoint between Tehran and Washington against the backdrop of efforts to end the Middle East war begun by the US and Israel in February.

Taken together, the developments around houthi attacks disrupt Saudi energy facilities, wound 73, authorities say point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.