Houthis claim drone strikes on Saudi crude oil infrastructure following what the group described as Saudi drone incursions into Yemeni airspace. In a statement issued on Monday, the Houthi movement said it had carried out drone attacks targeting facilities linked to Saudi Arabia’s crude oil supply and transportation network.
The group said the operation came after the alleged downing of a Saudi Bayraktar Akinci drone over Yemen’s Al-Jawf Governorate, marking another escalation in the ongoing conflict.
Houthis claim drone strikes on Saudi crude oil infrastructure
In a statement shared on Telegram, Houthi military spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree said several drones were used to target what he described as “sensitive” facilities connected to the transportation of crude oil from eastern Saudi Arabia to the Red Sea city of Yanbu.
Saree said the operation was launched in response to what the group called repeated Saudi drone incursions into Yemeni airspace.
Group claims drone was shot down over Al-Jawf
The Houthis also claimed they had shot down a Saudi Bayraktar Akinci drone over Yemen’s Al-Jawf Governorate. According to the group, the drone was carrying out what it described as “hostile operations” in the area.
Footage released by the Houthis allegedly showed the drone being brought down on July 26 while operating over Al-Jawf.
Renewed escalation in the conflict
The latest claims come amid renewed tensions between the two sides. According to the report, Saudi forces reportedly carried out attacks on Yemen’s Houthi-controlled port city of Hodeidah on Friday.
Hodeidah is a key maritime gateway for areas controlled by the Houthis in northern Yemen and handles most commercial goods and humanitarian assistance entering those territories.
Previous strikes and military claims
Earlier on Saturday, the Houthis said they launched missile strikes targeting industrial facilities in Jizan in southwestern Saudi Arabia. The group said the operation was carried out in response to Saudi attacks on Yemen’s port city of Al-Hudaydah.
According to Iranian state media Press TV, the strikes followed multiple Saudi attacks targeting a facility in Al-Hudaydah and Kamran Island. The report also claimed Yemen’s air defence systems forced Saudi warplanes to leave the country’s airspace.
Houthis warn of further military action
The Houthis have previously announced a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea, particularly around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, accusing Riyadh of imposing restrictions on Yemen.
The group has also warned that further military action could follow if what it describes as aggression against Yemen continues.
Key Highlights
- Houthis claimed drone strikes on Saudi crude oil transport infrastructure.
- The group said the operation targeted facilities linked to crude oil transportation to Yanbu.
- The strikes were described as a response to alleged Saudi drone incursions.
- Houthis claimed they shot down a Saudi Bayraktar Akinci drone over Al-Jawf Governorate.
- The latest developments come amid renewed tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis.
- The group warned of further military action if the conflict continues.
