Iran-aligned Houthi forces in Yemen have claimed that they carried out drone attacks targeting several “sensitive” sites linked to crude oil supplies and transportation routes connecting eastern Saudi Arabia with the Red Sea city of Yanbu.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the attacks were conducted in response to what he described as Saudi drone incursions into Yemeni airspace.
“We targeted a number of sensitive sites and points related to crude oil supplies and transport from eastern Saudi Arabia to Yanbu with drones,” Saree said.
There was no immediate confirmation from Saudi Arabia regarding the reported attacks, while no reports of damage or casualties had emerged at the time of reporting.
Saudi Arabia says it reserves ‘right to respond’ after drone attack
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry has condemned attacks on the kingdom saying it reserves the right to respond to the source of “the aggression” and deter those responsible.
Saudi forces attacked Yemen’s Houthi-held city of Hodeidah on Friday in the latest escalation of their conflict during the regional war between the United States and Iran.
The port of Hodeidah is a crucial lifeline for the parts of Yemen under Houthi control, handling the bulk of commercial and humanitarian imports into Houthi-controlled northern Yemen.
Major-General Turki al-Maliki, spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, blamed the Houthis for the escalation, calling their attacks on Red Sea shipping “cowardly and reckless”.