Houthi attacks strike four southern Saudi cities and wound 73 civilians
Major General Turki Al-Maliki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition, announced that Houthi attacks struck civilian and economic sites across Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran, wounding at least 73 people including women and children. The Saudi Energy Ministry reported fires and temporary operational halts at multiple southern energy facilities.
Geopolitics··Evening
Coalition reports 73 casualties across four cities
Major General Turki Al-Maliki, acting as the spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition, stated that civilian and economic sites in the southern cities of Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran were struck by Houthi attacks. He reported that at least 73 civilians, including women and children, were wounded in the strikes. Al-Maliki described the military action as a dangerous escalation, though he did not specify the dates of the attacks or detail the types of weapons deployed by the Houthi forces. The reported casualty figures have not been independently verified.[1], [2]
Energy ministry confirms fires at southern facilities
The Saudi Energy Ministry confirmed that the attacks damaged several energy sites located in the country's southern region. The ministry reported that fires broke out at these locations, temporarily halting some operations at the facilities. The Houthi military wing, which had previously warned that continued Saudi actions would not go unpunished, claimed the attacks were answered more than 100 Saudi air strikes in Yemen over the preceding three days. The group stated it had fired dozens of ballistic missiles and drones.[1], [2]
Oil prices rise amid broader regional conflict
The global benchmark Brent crude rose by about one per cent, trading close to 99 dollars a barrel. Al-Maliki stated that the coalition's Joint Forces Command would resolutely confront the posture adopted by the Houthis. The recent military exchanges follow a flare-up in July, with missile attacks on Saudi oil facilities and ships, widening the regional war. The Houthis did not provide immediate additional comment in the latest reports, having recently accused Saudi Arabia of conducting an air strike on a prison in Yemen.[1], [2]
