Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen launched an aggressive barrage of attacks against southern Saudi Arabia, striking civilian neighborhoods and energy facilities in Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan, and Najran. The assault left 73 people wounded, including women and children, while causing damage to oil installations and an airbase. Riyadh has formally labeled the incident an unholy aggression, drawing condemnation and pledges of solidarity from the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, and other GCC nations.
- 73 people wounded including women and children in southern Saudi Arabia
- Attacks hit civilian neighborhoods and energy facilities in Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan, and Najran
- Riyadh labels the incident an unholy aggression with GCC solidarity from UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar
This escalation is part of a broader six-month conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran. Since February 28, following US and Israeli strikes that killed Iran’s supreme leader and senior commanders, Tehran has launched thousands of missiles and drones against the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait. Significant incidents include damage to Bahrain’s US Fifth Fleet headquarters, the Ras Laffan LNG complex in Qatar, and ports in Oman. The Strait of Hormuz remains restricted by Iranian actions and a US naval blockade, while the Houthis have additionally targeted Saudi Arabia’s East-West Pipeline and seized the port city of Dhubab. US Central Command reported the destruction of five Iranian crude oil carriers after Iranian missiles targeted American warships.
A diplomatic meeting is scheduled for Monday in Salalah, Oman, involving foreign ministers from Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman. The talks will focus on establishing safe shipping corridors through the Strait of Hormuz, with Oman and Iran negotiating a potential temporary route through Iranian and Omani waters. Despite the talks, Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesman, Majed Al Ansari, stated the Gulf cannot rely solely on the United States for security, while UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash noted that rebuilding trust with Iran will be difficult following the attacks. Oil markets have reacted to the potential simultaneous closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab, with infrastructure in Kuwait and Bahrain also suffering damage. The current strategic pattern suggests Iran is leveraging proxy and direct strikes to force Gulf states into negotiations on its own terms.
