Houthi drone and missile strikes hit energy facilities in Saudi Arabia

On Tuesday, September 8, 2026, Houthi forces backed by Iran launched a major series of drone and missile attacks against four southern cities in Saudi Arabia. The strikes targeted a Saudi airbase in Khamis Mushait and infrastructure belonging to the state oil company in Abha, Najran, and the Red Sea port of Jazan. These coordinated operations resulted in at least 73 injuries, including women and children, and triggered large fires at energy facilities. The incident has caused global oil prices to climb to their highest levels in over six weeks.

This escalation occurs within the broader context of the six-month conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, which began on February 28 with strikes aimed at Iran's nuclear program and its regional proxies. Following a month of relative calm, the attacks represent a significant expansion of hostilities, prompted by recent maritime exchanges in the Gulf. While the Saudi-led coalition has vowed to respond, no official images of the damage have been confirmed. The Houthis, however, have publicly released photographs claiming to show the destruction of Saudi trucks near the border as part of their broader, deep-territory offensive.