Saudi-led coalition strike oil facilities west of Yemen’s capital

Explosions were heard in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, following a warning from the Saudi-led coalition to residents to stay away from the city's oil depot and nearby storage facility. The Houthis, an Iran-backed group, have vowed to retaliate with further attacks on Saudi Arabia's airports and oil refineries. The Saudi-led coalition had attacked Sanaa earlier in the day, targeting a fuel depot belonging to the Yemen Petroleum Company, which is controlled by the militant group.

A Saudi statement warned civilians to avoid the oil depot and storage facility, but Yemen's petroleum company reported its facilities were empty and the strike would not impact oil supplies or reserves.

Witnesses in Sanaa reported hearing explosions, though it was unclear which facilities were affected. This escalation in hostilities comes as Saudi Arabia investigates a failed attempt by its air defenses to intercept a Houthi barrage of missiles and drones on Saturday. The attacks struck Riyadh's international airport, killing at least 13 people and injuring over 300 others.

In response to the airstrikes, the Houthis warned that they would target Riyadh's airport again, along with Aramco's headquarters in Dammam and an Aramco refinery in Riyadh. The Yemen Armed Forces urged citizens to evacuate and move away from any targets that the Saudi forces may strike in Sanaa. The conflict between the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthis began last month when the rebels seized key areas along the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital waterway for oil transportation through the Red Sea off Yemen's coast.

Analysts note that the Yemeni government's ability to control the Houthis has been compromised due to internal fragmentation, intelligence failures, and poor communication. Iran has reportedly increased its weapons supply to the Houthis since June, as the group has become a crucial Iranian ally in the region. US President Trump accused the Houthis of intentionally raising oil prices ahead of the US midterm elections and vowed to never forget their attacks on Saudi Arabia.