Yemen’s Houthi movement claimed responsibility on Tuesday for a missile strike targeting an oil refinery in Saudi Arabia. Military spokesman Yahya Saree announced the operation on the social media platform X.
Saree stated that the group deployed a ballistic missile against the refinery in the kingdom’s Eastern Province. He asserted that the projectile struck its intended destination and triggered large fires across the facility.
Saudi authorities did not issue an immediate statement responding to the claim. Earlier on Tuesday, the Saudi Civil Defense activated early warning sirens across Najran, Abha, and Khamis Mushait due to an unspecified potential threat.
Civil Defense officials later reported that the danger had passed, though the agency did not provide specific details regarding the nature of the alert.
The incident coincided with a broader military escalation involving the Houthis and the coalition supporting the internationally recognised government of Yemen. The Saudi-led coalition stated earlier on Tuesday that its forces intercepted four drones and three ballistic missiles fired by the Houthis toward the kingdom.
Houthi forces have escalated operations against Saudi territory since July. Missile and drone attacks aimed at civilian airports, military installations, and oil facilities increased throughout October.
Saudi Arabia has led a military intervention supporting Yemen’s government against the Houthi movement since March 2015. The group has maintained control over the Yemeni capital of Sanaa and multiple other regions since September 2014, and faces accusations of receiving support from Iran.
