Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement said on Sunday it had carried out a drone strike on an oil facility on Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast, a claim that comes as a fragile 2022 truce appears to have unravelled. The group's military spokesman, Yahya Saree, said the attack targeted the Aramco refinery in Jizan and was "precise", adding that it was a response to Saudi drone incursions into northwest Yemen.
Saudi Arabia's energy ministry earlier reported that civil defence teams had extinguished a fire at the Jizan refinery, without specifying the cause. The facility had already been hit by Houthi drones in July, underscoring the persistent threat to critical infrastructure in the kingdom's southern regions.
Escalation after truce breakdown
The strike marks another step in the deterioration of the UN-brokered truce that largely halted fighting in Yemen's civil war since 2022. The Houthis, who control the capital Sanaa and large parts of the country, including areas bordering Saudi Arabia's Red Sea provinces, announced a maritime blockade of their northern neighbour last month and have targeted Saudi tankers in the Red Sea.
The renewed attacks coincide with a broader regional confrontation. Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has become a central flashpoint between Tehran and Washington, as efforts to end the Middle East war that began in February have stalled. The Houthi campaign against Saudi shipping and oil infrastructure is widely seen as part of this wider pressure campaign.
For European observers, the instability in the Red Sea carries direct consequences. The Bab el-Mandeb strait, at the southern end of the Red Sea, is a vital artery for European energy imports and trade with Asia. Disruptions there could ripple through supply chains and energy prices across the continent, a concern that has already prompted EU naval missions to patrol the area.
The Saudi-led coalition, which entered Yemen's conflict more than a decade ago in support of the internationally recognised government, has not yet commented on Sunday's incident. However, the kingdom's ability to protect its energy infrastructure remains a key factor in global oil markets.
The Houthis have repeatedly demonstrated their capacity to strike deep into Saudi territory, using drones and missiles that have at times been intercepted by coalition defences. The group's military capabilities have grown significantly since the start of the war, with Iranian support playing a crucial role.
As the truce collapses, the risk of a full-scale resumption of hostilities looms. The United Nations and regional powers have been trying to revive the ceasefire, but the Houthis' latest actions suggest they are willing to escalate to gain leverage. The attack on the Jizan refinery is a reminder that the conflict, though overshadowed by other crises, remains a source of regional and global instability.
