Houthi Claim of Attack on Aramco Facility
Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed that they targeted an Aramco oil facility south of the Saudi capital Riyadh with ballistic missiles and drones. On Saturday afternoon, fire and smoke were seen around an Aramco facility south of Riyadh. An AFP journalist at the scene reported that firefighters arrived to extinguish the blaze, while ambulances and police vehicles were also present.
Saudi authorities did not immediately issue an official response to the reported attack. Later, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea claimed that the group had targeted an oil facility in Riyadh with ballistic missiles and drones and that a fire broke out following the attack.
Houthi Allegation of 26 Saudi Airstrikes in Sanaa
The Houthi-supported Al-Masirah TV channel claimed that “Saudi enemy aircraft” carried out 26 airstrikes in Sanaa on Saturday. The channel had earlier reported “Saudi aggression” against the Yemeni capital.
The report did not immediately provide information on the possible targets or casualties. Two journalists in Sanaa reported hearing loud explosions and seeing warplanes fire missiles towards the city.
Houthi-supported media also reported missile attacks on telecommunications networks in Yemen’s northwestern Saada province on Saturday. Saada is regarded as a major Houthi bhold.
Fighting Resumed After the Fragile Truce Collapsed
After a prolonged conflict between the Houthis and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government, Yemen experienced several years of relative calm. Fighting intensified again after a four-year-old fragile truce broke down in July.
The Houthis, who are supported by Iran, control large parts of northwestern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa. The internationally recognised Yemeni government is headquartered in Aden and controls large areas of the south and east of the country.
The southern and eastern areas are geographically larger, but have a lower population density than the northwestern regions.
Saudi Airstrikes and Renewed Tensions
According to the report, the current conflict has been driven in part by renewed tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis. After nearly four years of fragile calm, Iran sent a plane to Sanaa carrying a Houthi delegation.
Saudi Arabia had not granted permission for the flight, contrary to an arrangement that had been in place for nearly a decade.
Riyadh subsequently carried out airstrikes on Sanaa airport. In response, the Houthis targeted Saudi territory for the first time since 2022.
The conflict then intensified rapidly. The Houthis launched a military campaign to seize coastal areas of Yemen around the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Houthi Influence Around Bab al-Mandab
The Houthi rebels have established control over large parts of Yemen’s Red Sea coast and expanded their influence over the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
The area is a strategically important maritime route. The Houthis have also targeted several Saudi sites, including oil facilities and the capital Riyadh.
The Houthis have declared a naval blockade against the movement of Saudi ships in the Red Sea.
Fighting in Taiz Leaves Dozens of Fighters Dead
Taiz has emerged as a centre of fighting in recent days. Sources from both sides reported dozens of fighters killed there on Friday.
The Houthis claimed that 55 of their fighters were killed, while sources linked to the Yemeni government reported the deaths of 26 soldiers.
Fighting in Taiz is taking place on several fronts, including elevated areas that overlook coastal territories recently captured by the Houthis.
The Houthis control large areas of Yemen but have not yet taken control of Taiz city. Taiz is Yemen’s third-largest city, after Sanaa and Aden.
Houthi Claim of 94 Saudi Airstrikes
The Houthis also claimed on Friday that Saudi Arabia had carried out 94 airstrikes in areas under their control during the previous 24 hours.
The claims could not be independently confirmed immediately.
Saudi authorities, meanwhile, said that a projectile launched by the Houthis damaged a school in the city of Najran, near the Yemeni border.
Continued attacks and counterattacks by both sides have raised concerns over further expansion of the conflict.
Saudi Arabia Seeks US Assistance
According to reports, Saudi Arabia has sought assistance from the United States amid the intensifying conflict in Yemen. However, US President Donald Trump has not accepted the request so far.
US media outlet Axios reported on Saturday, citing three US officials, that senior members of the Trump administration held a meeting a day earlier regarding the conflict involving Yemen and Iran.
The meeting was not officially announced. According to US officials, the meeting discussed the situation in Yemen as well as the conflict involving Iran.
Yemen’s Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The prolonged war and renewed violence have further worsened Yemen’s already serious humanitarian situation. The World Food Programme warned on Friday that nearly three-quarters of Yemen’s population is unable to meet its basic food needs.
Yemen is among the world’s poorest countries, and years of conflict have left civilians facing severe hardship. New military attacks, displacement and the impact on infrastructure are expected to further worsen the humanitarian crisis.
The renewed fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis has also increased regional tensions. The reported attack on an Aramco facility, allegations of airstrikes on Sanaa, fighting in Taiz and increased military activity in the Red Sea region have accompanied a renewed phase of conflict in Yemen.
