The Saudi Arabia war with Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi group has entered a new phase after the rebels claimed attacks on Riyadh and the Saudi oil hub of Yanbu. Saudi authorities said a ballistic missile aimed at the capital was intercepted, while emergency alerts were issued in Riyadh.
The recent attacks are being seen against the backdrop of increasing tensions in the region and have triggered new worries regarding Saudi Arabia’s national security, energy facilities, and shipping routes.
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| Image Credit: The Times of India |
Houthis Target Riyadh With Missile
On Saturday, Saudi Arabia reported that the Houthis had launched an attack on Riyadh using a ballistic missile. The forces led by Saudi Arabia revealed that the missile had been intercepted before reaching its target.
Residents in the Saudi capital reported hearing explosions, while smoke was seen near King Khalid International Airport. Saudi authorities did not immediately report casualties or major damage from the intercepted missile. The incident was significant because it was the first reported missile attack on Riyadh since the latest escalation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis.
According to the spokesman for the Houthi military operations, Yahya Sarea, the attacks on “sensitive areas” in the capital city of Riyadh involved the use of ballistic and cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles. Nevertheless, some of the claims by the Houthis regarding attacks on certain facilities remain unverified.
Yanbu Oil Facilities Also Targeted
Also, there were claims by the Houthis that they carried out an attack against another Aramco facility based in Yanbu, which is one of the oil exporting hubs located on the
coast of Saudi Arabia on the Red Sea. However, the officials in Saudi Arabia claimed that some of the Houthi attacks targeting important facilities in Yanbu, Taif, Baysh, and Farasan had been foiled.
Such attacks have made things worse for the already tense energy market. Saudi Arabia happens to be one of the largest producers of oil in the world, and any attack on the facilities that produce energy in Saudi Arabia will definitely have greater impacts on the world's supply of oil. The price of oil has gone down marginally in the last week.
Saudi Arabia Faces Growing Security Concerns
The recent events have raised fears regarding the security conditions surrounding Saudi Arabia. These attacks by the Houthis are following intense military action in Yemen and the heightened involvement of the Saudi military in combating the Houthis. The Houthis have threatened foreign nations against supporting Saudi Arabia in their war and have tied their actions to the military activities of the Saudis.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has also issued emergency alerts owing to the increase in the threat posed by missiles and drones. The matter is of importance, especially for Riyadh, since it is the location of many government offices and key transport facilities. The possibility of an attack by missiles hovering above the city is worrisome.
US Holds Back From New Houthi Strikes
Latest updates regarding the Saudi Arabia war have also exerted pressure on the United States as well. Reports claim that President Donald Trump of the United States was asked by Saudi Arabia to launch a military attack against the Houthis. However, the planned mission to target some people was halted.
Trump also stated that there is still communication going on between the U.S. and the Houthis. It is said that the Houthis have assured the Americans that they will not attack American ships, but this understanding does not cover Saudi Arabia. This has made for a difficult situation for the American government because of trying to balance things out with Saudi Arabia.
What Happens Next in Saudi Arabia?
The Saudi Arabia war is developing alongside several other conflicts and tensions across the Middle East.
The latest Houthi attacks have shown that the conflict in Yemen can directly affect Saudi cities and energy infrastructure. At the same time, Riyadh's involvement and the response from the United States could influence how the situation develops.
For now, Saudi air defences remain on alert while the Houthis continue to threaten further attacks. Any additional strikes on major cities, oil facilities, or shipping routes could increase pressure on an already unstable regional situation.
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Author - Saurabh