Houthi militants escalate attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure and shipping

Yemen’s Houthi forces have escalated regional tensions by targeting Saudi Arabian crude oil supply infrastructure and shipping in the Red Sea. On July 27, 2026, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree announced that the group struck oil facilities connecting eastern Saudi Arabia to the Red Sea city of Yanbu, describing the action as retaliation for Saudi drone strikes in Yemeni airspace. Furthermore, the Houthis reported a ballistic missile attack on the Saudi tanker NCC Ghazal, claiming the vessel violated a naval blockade the group imposed on Saudi ports on July 20. The Houthi leadership stated that the tanker was forced to turn back after ignoring warning signals.

In response to these developments, the Saudi Arabian government stated it would react decisively to hostile acts to protect its national security and economic interests. Riyadh also reported the interception of drones launched from Iraq by pro-Iranian groups directed at Saudi oil sites. Amidst the rising volatility in one of the world's primary maritime trade corridors, reports suggest that China has engaged in direct communications with Houthi representatives to ensure the safe passage of its vessels through the Bab el-Mandeb strait, according to sources including a senior Iranian official.