Houthis Strike Four Saudi Cities with Drones and Missiles, 70+ Wounded

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi movement announced a major military operation deep into Saudi Arabia on Tuesday night, striking four cities in the kingdom's south with drones and ballistic missiles. More than 70 people were wounded and oil facilities caught fire, Reuters reported.

The Houthis, who control most of Yemen including the capital, targeted a military air base in Khamis Mushait along with energy infrastructure in other southern cities. The group declared the strikes a deliberate expansion of the war across the Middle East.

Fires at Oil Installations

Fires broke out at oil installations following the drone and missile barrages. Saudi emergency services worked to contain blazes at multiple sites as authorities assessed damage to energy infrastructure. The attack coincides with broader US-Iran tensions in the region, with American forces having struck Iranian oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman the same day.

The Houthis have escalated their attacks on Saudi Arabia and Red Sea shipping since October 2023, citing solidarity with Gaza. Tuesday's strikes represent one of the most geographically widespread attacks in the current conflict cycle.